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and sea breezes. There are also
myriad terrains, from Italy’s lengthy
coastlines to foothills with slopes ideal
for growing grapes. The mountain
ranges – such as the Italian Alps in
the north and the Apennines running
through the centre of the country –
provide high altitudes for cool-climate
viticulture and help moderate the high
temperatures. Each zone also has its
own macroclimate, resulting in unique
styles of wine.
Italy is renowned for offering
the largest and most diverse
array of wines in the world
(more than 2400 dif-
ferent styles), as well
as an impressive
number of clas-
sified regions.
Within the
Italian clas-
sification
system
there
are
at least 300 DOCs and
DOCGs; if IGTs are in-
cluded, the total rises to
an incredible 500-plus.
More than 2000
indigenous grape
varieties are
available and
Italian wines
are rec-
og-
nized
for their
incom-
parable
variety and
choice of
aroma and
flavor. It was
not until the
late 20th cen-
tury that the na-
tive grapes were
joined by some of
the more well-known
classics. Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot
now play leading roles in
the so-called Super Tuscan
wines, and Sauvignon Blanc
is a star player in Friuli.
Italy is divided into 20 wine re-
gions. The three in the north-east
– Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige and
Friuli-Venezia Giulia – are known
collectively as the Tre Venezie. This
area boasts the most superior
wine technology and is home
to two of the country’s lead-
ing wine schools: San Michele
all’Adige in Trentino and Conegli-
ano in the Veneto. It also houses the
world’s largest vine nursery at Rausce-
do in Friuli.
In the north and north-west there are
five wine regions: Lombardy (Lom-
bardia), Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont
(Piemonte), Liguria and Aosta Valley
(Valle d’Aosta). Together, they ac-
count for 20% of Italy’s total wine
production as well as approximately
30% of its DOCs.
The six central regions are Tus-
cany (Toscana), Latium (Lazio) and
landlocked Umbria plus Marches
(Marche), Abruzzo (Abruzzi) and
Molise. They produce less than a
quarter of Italy’s wines but account for
a third of its DOCs or DOCGs. This
area enjoys superior climatic condi-
tions, with abundant sunshine and
moderating temperatures.
In the south of Italy, including its is-
lands, there are six wine regions, pro-
ducing around 40% of the country’s
total wine production but accounting
for less than 7% of its DOCs. These
areas are Campania, Basilicata, Pug-
lia (Apulia), Calabria and the islands
of Sicily and Sardinia (Sardegna).