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Italy There is little of Italy that is not, at least marginally, considered wine country. Her history goes back over 2,500 years and annual production is easily the largest in the world. In terms of geography, Italy cannot help but produce good wine in great variety, but it is its confusing names and labels (often omitting the name of the region), which prevent the average consumer from enjoying them more. Nearly 40% of Italy’s wine exports end up in Germany and 25% in France. In 1963 Italy developed a DOC system to classify wine names, but it tended to “fossilize” the status quo rather than enhance or guarantee quality. A new Goria Law was passed in 1992 and while progressive, it is not fully in effect.
| Primary Grapes: |
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Sangiovese, Moscato, Pinot Gris |
| Secondary Grapes: |
Montepulciano, Verdicchio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Cortese, Cabernet Franc |
| Production: |
1.5 billion gallons annually |
Primary Wine
Region(s): |
Piedmont, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia, Tuscany, Umbria, The Marches, Abruzzi |
| Premium Labels: |
Piedmont / Lombardy / Liguria: Altare, Ceretto, Gaja, Bruno Giacosa, Pio Cesare, Ratti, Vietti
Trentino: Conti Martini, Ferrari, Maso Poli, Zeni
Tuscany: Antinori, Fattoria dei Barbi, Frescobaldi, Ruffino,Talenti
Southern: Corvo, Florio, Taurini, Rivera
Veneto: Allegrini, Bolla, Masi, Mazzi, Zenato |
| Best Values: |
Allegrini, Banfi, Falesco, Ruffino, Taurino, Santa Margarita, Ritratti, Villa Antinori |
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