Your Wine Guide to Italy

Piedmont

Nestled in the rolling foothills beneath the stunning snow-capped Alps, Piedmont in northwestern Italy is more than just a prestigious wine region. It's renowned for its culinary delights, from white truffles to hazelnuts, and is recognised as the birthplace of the Slow Food movement. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage site for its rich food and drink culture.

Red or White? While some white wines are produced here, the red grapes dominate. The stars of the region are Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto. These grapes share characteristics of persistent tannins, savoury red fruit flavours and an elegant bouquet.

Style: Nebbiolo stands out with its floral aroma, complex flavours, and robust tannins and acidity, making it ideal for ageing and evolving over time. It shines in both single-vineyard wines and blends, particularly in the renowned Barolo and Barbaresco regions.

Dolcetto is the go-to choice for everyday enjoyment, offering great value, while Barbera's high acidity and dusty red fruit appeal to fans of Pinot Noir.

You might also be familiar with Moscato. Originating from the village of Asti, this cheerful, floral sparkling wine, known as frizzante, offers a slightly sweet and effervescent experience.

Lombardy

Fly directly into Milan and indulge in its fine dining, high fashion and the world-renowned opera at La Scala. While it may be tempting to stay within the city's chic, sophisticated atmosphere and admire its stunning cathedral, there's more to explore beyond Milan. Venture out to discover the beautiful blue waters of Lake Como and the ancient Roman ruins at Brescia. The surrounding countryside of Lombardy is home to some exceptional wines.

Red or White? In this region, it's all about red wines from Valtellina and sparkling wines from Franciacorta.

Valtellina's reds are crafted from Nebbiolo, locally called Chiavennasca. Unlike their counterparts from Piedmont, these wines feature softer tannins with silky chocolate and dark plum flavours, offering a unique perspective on Nebbiolo. The region itself is a breathtaking alpine valley with sunny terraced vineyards carved into the mountains along the Swiss-Italian border.

Near Brescia, the cool hills of Franciacorta produce top-quality traditional method sparkling wines. Inspired by the Champagne model, the best producers here are crafting wines with a deserved reputation for excellence. These complex wines boast layers of toasty, biscuity flavours, developed through long ageing.

Veneto

Up in the northeast, Veneto is a province that has it all, from mountains to fertile plains and a lagoon on the Adriatic seaside. Holidaymakers will know it for romantic spots like Verona and the faded majesty of Venice's canals and treasures like the Rialto, the Guggenheim and the Aperol Spritz.

Red or White? Equally adept with white as with red, but in Veneto, finding quality is key. There are the handsomely named smoky, crisp dry whites of Soave and the more familiar Pinot Grigio. The best of both come from hillier vineyards.

Reds from Valpolicella range from juicy, medium-bodied reds to richer, full-bodied, powerful dried grape styles of Amarone and its little cousin Ripasso.

Prosecco is the fun-time fizz for when friends pop in, with its peach, green apple and pastry notes. But again, head for the hills where the quality producers farm their vineyards. The best examples come from the Conegliano zone, specifically the Cartizze hill. The simpler wines are best put to use when aperitivo hour strikes, in either a Bellini or a Spritz.

Friuli

Friuli is a culinary and vinous treasure trove. Often overlooked by tourists on the Grand Tour, this northeastern region blends Austro-Hungarian history with modern influences from its border with Slovenia.

The area boasts diverse landscapes, from the gravelly plains warmed by the Adriatic Sea to the sunny rolling hills (collio) that rise into the Slovenian Alps, offering a wealth of excellent wines.

Red or White? Friuli is renowned for putting Italian white wine on the map, initially with modern, clean, crisp dry whites, followed by spicy, textural blends. Recently, the region has become a leader in the innovative world of amber and skin-contact wines.

In terms of reds, the region has a legacy of producing silky French-style blends, thanks to over a century of experience with varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Franc, a gift from its Habsburg heritage.

Trentino-Alto Adige

With picturesque apple orchards terracing the hillsides and the breathtaking Dolomites basking in sunlight, Trentino-Alto Adige is an alpine paradise. This bilingual province attracts well-heeled visitors from Switzerland, Austria and Germany who come to enjoy rock climbing, dining in cosy mountain lodges and taking long alpine walks.

Red or White? Whites are the star of the region, but the lesser-known reds offer delightful medium-bodied expressions.

If you enjoy classy, crisp and vibrant white wines, Trentino-Alto Adige should be on your list. Pinot Grigio is the standout, supported by Pinot Bianco and hidden gems like Sylvaner and Kerner. Premium white blends often include Chardonnay, adding a rich texture and fuller body.

The region also produces smart, refreshing medium-bodied reds, such as Schiava and Lagrein, which offer juicy pomegranate flavours and a hint of tannin.

Tuscany

With its silvery green olive trees, rolling hills and rows of pencil-thin cypresses, the Tuscan landscape is undeniably beautiful.

This province has been a magnet for tourists since the Middle Ages. Florence and Siena, with their rich legacies of influence, power, ambition and art, continue to attract thousands of visitors to this day.

Red or White? The warm, scrubby Mediterranean climate favours red wines, with the savoury Sangiovese grape taking centre stage.

White wine production is limited due to the heat, but there are notable exceptions like Vernaccia di San Gimignano, as well as some Trebbiano and Vermentino.

Style: The finest Sangiovese wines offer a sleek, sappy and savoury balance of bright red cherry and pomegranate flavours. The depth and darkness of the flavours vary depending on the growing region and the blending of other grape varieties.

International varieties like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produce exceptional, powerful wines on the gravelly coastal plains of Maremma.

Key regions to explore include Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Bolgheri.

Campania

This region offers plenty to see, from the winding roads of the Amalfi Coast to the glamour of Capri and the ancient ruins of Pompeii. While Rome might claim to be the birthplace of pizza, Campania, home to Naples, takes the crown. Known worldwide for San Marzano tomatoes and silky buffalo mozzarella, Campania's culinary scene is unmatched. The secret to its flavours lies in the sunny Mediterranean climate and the unique volcanic soils of Mount Vesuvius.

Red or White? The local grape varieties, believed to have ancient Greek origins, thrive in the Mediterranean heat. For rich, structured reds with tannin and depth, Aglianico is the star. Meanwhile, the region's whites are led by the textural, nutty and fleshy Fiano, especially from the town of Avellino.

Aglianico, often dubbed the "Nebbiolo of the South", retains its acidity and tannins even in warmer climates. The best examples come from Taurasi, producing full-bodied, savoury wines that age beautifully. Fiano, the region's standout white, boasts honeyed floral notes and a waxy texture, pairing perfectly with buffalo mozzarella, firm fish and salads. Greco also deserves a mention for its crisp whites with flavours of green apple, flint and citrus.

Sicily

Just a generation ago, there wasn't much to say about Sicilian wine beyond Marsala. The island's reds were often sold in bulk to enhance pale wines from cooler European vintages or were used in vermouth production.

However, with its unique position at the crossroads of Mediterranean and North African cultures, Sicily has experienced a modern-day renaissance in wine and food that is truly remarkable. Australians, in particular, resonate with Sicily's warm Mediterranean climate, diverse migrant culture and vibrant cuisine. It just makes sense.

Red or White? Red wine production is dominated by Nero d’Avola, grown across most regions of the island. These wines range from juicy, medium-bodied styles with cherry notes, often blended with the lighter Frappato, to robust, dark and structured wines with plum flavours, appealing to Shiraz lovers.

Nerello Mascalese is another exciting variety, known for its structured, fragrant and tannic wines, cultivated on the steep volcanic slopes of the still-active Mount Etna.

Surprisingly, Sicily also has a significant amount of white wine production, with Carricante standing out. This grape produces distinctly refreshing wines with notes of smoke, cut herbs and lemon tonic.