How to Pick an Italian Wine
Italy is famous for its sun-kissed hills, its rich food and its wide assortment of wines. Italians have been making wine for some 3,000 years, and the variety is vast. Choosing an Italian wine can be a daunting task. However, if you take into account a few guiding options, you’ll be swirling and sipping the perfect vino in no time!
- Region. There are many specific wine regions in Italy that all boast their own particular kind of grapes and wines. Three major wine-producing regions in Italy are Piedmont in the Northwest, Veneto in the Northeast, and Tuscany on the west coast. Choosing a wine from one of these three regions is a can’t-miss choice.
- Color and flavor. Your Italian wine choice can be narrowed as to whether you want a red or white wine. Pinot Grigio, from the Veneto and surrounding regions, is a popular light, dry white wine. Light red wines such as Chianti from the Tuscany region are crisp and light-bodied. The Piedmont region creates dark, full-bodied red wines, such as Nebbiolo, that have bold flavors.
- Price. There are many price ranges to be found among Italian wines, generally from $25 and up. Wines that have been aged will have a more intense flavor and a higher price. Some wines have an aging requirement before reaching the market.
- Food. The kind of foods you might be pairing your Italian wine with will help to dictate the kind of wine you want to get. White wines are a good choice with appetizers as they are considered to cleanse the palate. They also work well with seafood and light butter or cream sauces. Light red wines, such as Chianti, pair well with red meats, chicken and garlic-roasted vegetables. It is also the most common wine that is paired with spaghetti sauces. Dark red wines go best with full-flavored red meats and sausages.