Posted by
Darya Camacci On December 09 2019
Not only does Italy produce the most wine in the world, up to 45-50 million hectoliters annually, its wines are famous for their richness and flavor.
The luscious, green, rolling mountains in regions such as Tuscany, Calabria and Lombardia are ideal conditions for winemaking.
Combine this with carefully refined winemaking techniques passed down through generations, it's your chance to experience some of the best wines in the world.
Red wine is the most popular, and accounts for more than 60 percent of total wine production.
Here are six of some of my favorite wines to give a try, with suggestions for meal pairings I had to include! Yum!
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Ca del Bosco Franciacorta, Cuvée Annamaria Clementi.
Hailing from Northern Italy, this sparkling wine has a very citrusy, full-bodied taste, making it a perfect companion for a traditional Italian meal such as spaghetti carbonara. Ca del Bosco is produced in Lombardy, a very small wine producing area similar to Champagne in France.
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Villa Raiano Fiano di Avellino.
You won’t find the Fiano grape anywhere else in Italy or the world because it only grows in the Campania region of Southern Italy. The warm climate creates a wine with a refreshingly dry taste blended with an apple and walnut aftertaste. Pair this with a classic mushroom risotto.
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Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino.
Arguably the longest aging Italian wine, Monfortino is aged in casks from two to seven years. The long aging process means you can expect an exotic combination of flavors, strong in wild berry and spices. This is best paired with white truffle ravioli or grilled lamb.
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Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio all’Oro.
Each wine vintage has its own unique characteristics, but what makes this wine special is that it isn’t sold if the weather conditions are not ideal; as a result, you’ll be getting a vintage wine of the highest quality. Delicious with a good old fashioned T-bone steak, its demanding production standards create a taste with a strong combination of fruit and soft tannins.
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La Segreta Rosso, Cantina Planeta.
This Sicilian masterpiece comes with a rich taste of berries, particularly raspberry and red currants. The fruity aftertaste of this mouth-watering wine makes it perfect for traditional Italian cuisine, especially meat-based pasta dishes. Its grape is called Nero d’Avola, grown exclusively in vineyards in Sicily.
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Le Salette La Marega Amarone della Valpolicella Classico.
This wine is celebrated for its high alcohol percentage -- a lofty 16.5 percent. Also, the taste is unique among Italian wines, with an eclectic mix between dark cherry, chocolate and a savory type of meat flavor. It’s well-liked as a glass at the end of the evening because of its strong alcohol content and strong taste.
Italian wines are famous for their vibrant and eclectic mix of tastes. With such a diverse group of intoxicating choices, almost everyone will find a wine to love in Italy.
HERE IS THE FULL LIST
1. Ca del Bosco Cuvée Franciacorta, Annamaria Clementi
2. Villa Raiano Fiano di Avellino
3. Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino
4. Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio all’Oro
5. La Segreta Rosso, Cantina Planeta
6. Le Salette La Marega Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
