Your Ultimate Guide to Italian Wine
Original Article by LAUREN MOWERY
Here's your ultimate primer on Italian wine. Whether you've just begun to explore wine or are an expert who seeks to brush up on the basics, bookmark this page as a quick reference guide.
How to Read an Italian Wine Label
European labels can be difficult to read, especially those from Italy. A few key terms can help you understand the implications of the language on your bottle.
DOCG: An abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. It's the top classification for Italian wines. Strict rules govern all aspects of production. They include where the grapes can be grown, what varieties are allowed, and how wines can be aged. There are 77 DOCGs in Italy, with the latest addition in 2023.
DOC: An abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. Is one step below DOCG. Rules govern production and style but aren't as stringent as those for DOCGs. There are 334 DOCs in Italy, with the most recent additions approved in mid-2017.
IGT: An abbreviation for Indicazione Geografica Tipica. Introduced in 1992, this classification allows winemakers to use grapes and craft styles not allowed under DOC and DOCG regulations. There are currently 118 IGTs in Italy.
Riserva: Denotes a wine aged for significantly longer than usual, though rules vary among the denominations.
Superiore: Denotes a higher-quality designation, tacked on generally to a regional name (i.e., Soave Superiore).
Classico: Denotes wines from a zone within a region (i.e., Chianti Classico) considered the original area of production.
Azienda Agricola: A farm or estate that produces its own grapes for the production of its wines.
Annata or Vendemmia: A specific harvest or vintage.
Produttore: Producer
Tenuta: Estate
Vigneto: Vineyard
Italian Wine Regions
Americans love Italian wines for their diversity of styles, protection of indigenous varieties, food-friendliness, and, quite often, great value. Romantic landscapes don't hurt Italy's brand, either. While there are seemingly endless granular idiosyncrasies of Italian wine, this broad overview of the country's 20 regions will get you started, ordered from north to south.
Abruzzo
Next to Lazio on the Adriatic side, Abruzzo is a mountainous region rich in ancient winemaking traditions. Abruzzo is fifth by volume in production, known predominantly for the Montepulciano grape, not to be confused with the Tuscan region that focuses on Sangiovese. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is the region-wide denomination for red wines made from the grape, while Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC is the denomination for the region's rosé wines made from the same variety. Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC is the main white grape of the region.
Other Varieties: Chardonnay, Cococciola, Passerina, Pecorino, Sangiovese