When thinking of Italian culture, wine is likely one of the first things that pops into your head - but why? In this blog, we will dive into why Italian wine is so popular and the different types of wine that come out of Italy.
Italy is right off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, giving it the perfect climate to make wine. Combine this with a landscape that provides the ideal mixture of exposure to the elements and rich soil, and you have a perfect wine-growing environment. In fact, some of the most famous wine-making estates in the world are found in Italy!
In Italian culture, drinking wine is not just about the wine, but also what you pair it with. Traditionally, wine is to be paired with meats such as salami and different types of cheese so, naturally, an Italian red wine might not pair as well with a specific charcuterie board as an Italian white wine might. With that being said, some wines pair better with certain times of the day. While a heavier wine may pair well with a dinner, it might not be as good for a mid-day meal as a lighter wine might be.
The flavor and taste of wine, as well as many of its other characteristics, will depend mainly on the region that the wine is from. Although they are all produced in Italy, they will have different features depending on what Italian grapes can be used due to the specific region. For example, a red wine such as d'Abruzzo wine from Montepulciano will taste different than a red wine from Montalcino, Italy, because red wines from Montalcino use pure Sangiovese. Similarly,
Chardonnay is found more in northern Italy because the climate and landscape are better suited there than in southern Italy.
With wine being such a big part of the Italian lifestyle, there are many varieties of Italian wine to enjoy, from sparkling and sweet to rich and bold. Whether you want wines that use specific grapes, have certain characteristics, or want to stick to wines from a particular region, Italy has excellent wines for everyone.