If you dream of a vacation to Italy, you probably see images of yourself looking out over a sun-soaked vineyard, sipping on some of the world’s finest wine in Italy’s Top Wine Regions.
Italy frequently ranks as the world’s largest wine producer, followed by France. In 2022, Italy produced around 50.3 million hectoliters of wine, making up approximately 19% of global wine production. Italy also has one of the largest vineyard areas globally, with over 1.73 million acres dedicated to viticulture!
Italy is home to over 500 indigenous grape varieties, which is more than any other country in the entire world! This diversity allows for a wide range of wines, from world-famous classics like Chianti, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Barolo to lesser-known gems like Nero d’Avola, Verdicchio, Pecorino, and Sagrantino.
Top Italian Wine production by volume
The top wine-producing regions by volume in Italy include Veneto, Tuscany, and Piedmont, which account for a significant portion of the country’s total wine production. While these regions have the highest production, all 20 regions of Italy produce wine, each with its own sub-regions. Which is why Italy is so much more than just 5 famous wine regions.
Often referred to as wine zones or appellations, these subregions are recognized by their DOCG, DOC, or IGT classifications, which help to identify and protect the quality and authenticity of wines from specific areas. Need to brush up on your Italian Wine Terminology before diving in? Click here!
This intricate network of wine regions within Italy’s 20 regions makes Italy’s wine landscape incredibly diverse and complex, offering something for every palate and local wines that perfectly complement the traditional cuisine in each region. We’ll cover seven of Italy’s key wine regions in this blog, but you can find a complete list of Italian DOCG Wine Regions here!
Tuscany
Tuscany, located in central Italy, is one of the world’s most iconic and celebrated wine regions consistently landing it in Italy’s top 5 famous wine regions. Its picturesque landscapes, characterized by rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, and historic vineyards, have made it a prime destination for wine lovers.
Chianti
The heart of the Chianti production area, located between Florence and Siena, Chianti Classico is renowned for its Sangiovese-based wines. These wines are typically medium-bodied with bright acidity, red fruit flavors, and earthy undertones. The black rooster (“Gallo Nero“) symbol on the label signifies a Chianti Classico wine.
Read our quick guide to Chianti here!
Other famous Tuscan wines
Beyond Classico, the broader Chianti region includes zones like Chianti Rufina, Chianti Colli Senesi, and Chianti Colli Fiorentini, each with its own nuances. Other key subregions include Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
Tuscany also holds the first two DOCG wines ever produced!
Top Wines to try in Tuscany Recap:
- Chianti Classico
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions, located in the northwest part of the country is home to numerous famous Italian wine regions. Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Piedmont is renowned for producing some of Italy’s most iconic and revered wines, holding the highest number of DOC and DOCG wines in Italy. In addition to the highest concentration of Michelin Starred restaurants making this region a great addition to your time in Northern Italy after joining us for 10 delicious days on the Northern Italian Delights small group Italy tour.
In the past decade, many wineries have gone as far as mapping the territory by single vineyard, which goes beyond the government’s DOCG requirements. This allows for the production of exceptional wines such as Barolo and Nebbiolo, which are consistently named some of the world’s top reds. Dolcetto, Barbera, Roero, and Moscato are also cultivated in this region.
Wines that pair well with White Truffles
Interestingly, Piedmont is also famous for its white truffles, particularly from the town of Alba. The region’s wines, especially Barolo and Barbaresco, are considered perfect companions to the earthy, aromatic flavors of truffles, making November a prime time for wine and food enthusiasts to visit.
Interested in vacationing Italy during peak truffle season? Click here to get the details on how to plan and pack for you November Italian vacation!
Top Wines to try in Piedmont Recap:
- Barolo
- Moscato
- Dolcetto
- Barbera
- Roero
- Nebbiolo
Not sure what white to pick up for your next dinner party? Click here to grab your FREE WINE PAIRING CHEATSHEET!
Veneto
Veneto, located in northeastern Italy, is one of the country’s most productive and diverse wine regions. It produces the largest amount by volume. With over half a billion bottles of Prosecco produced in the past decade, Veneto is one of the fastest-growing wine regions in Italy.
Veneto is renowned for its wide range of wine styles, from light and refreshing whites to rich, full-bodied reds and sparkling wines that have gained international fame. The region’s diverse terroir and innovative winemaking practices make Veneto a significant player in the Italian and global wine market.
Dorana
Dorana (officially Dorona di Venezia) is a lesser known grape that hails from the Venetian Laggon. It is a very rare white-wine grape that derives it’s name from “oro,”which means gold in Italian. This is indicative of the golden-green color of the grapes. Records show that Dorona grapes have been around since Roman times, which is why tasting this unique wine is like stepping back in time and getting to savor some history through the local wine culture that you’ll get to enjoy on the Northern Italian Delights tour when you visit one of the rare wineries that have revived the Dorona di Venezia wine production.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella is one of Veneto’s most famous wine zones. It is known for producing a variety of red wines, with Amarone della Valpolicella being the most prestigious. Amarone is a powerful, full-bodied wine made from partially dried Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, giving it intense flavors of dried fruit, chocolate, and spice.
Amarone della Valpolicella is a must-try wine at least once in your life – why not travel directly to the source? Explore Veneto with us on a small group tour! You’ll experience the beauty of one of Italy’s most beautiful wine regions with private visits to the UNESCO Heritage Prosecco Hills, a private wine tasting at the Palladian Villas, and so much more.
Prosecco
Prosecco is one of the most well-known Italian wines, experiencing unstoppable growth in production in the last 20 years. Produced using the glera grape, Prosecco’s DOC territory expands into the lowlands of Veneto, Italy’s top wine-producing region. However, the DOCG territory is limited to the hills of Conegliano and Asolo. A stunning area that you’ll visit when you grab your spot on the Northern Italian Delights tour that takes you from organic wine and cheese tasting to cooking with a local chef inside his family home located off-the-beaten-path in the UNESCO Prosecco Hills.
Top Wines to try in Veneto Recap:
- Prosecco
- Amarone della Valpolicella
- Dorona
Sicily
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is one of Italy’s most dynamic and exciting wine regions. With a winemaking history that dates back thousands of years, Sicily is a powerhouse wine region where tradition meets innovation. The island’s diverse climate, varied soils, and unique indigenous grape varieties contribute to a rich and varied wine culture gaining international recognition.
Sicily’s Main Grape Varieites
The region’s dominant grape varieties are Nero D’Avola, Frappato, and Cerasuolo. Due to the mild weather, many international varieties, such as Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, are also grown here.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily’s only DOCG wine, produced in the island’s southeastern part. It blends Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes, resulting in a medium-bodied red wine with vibrant acidity and bright cherry, strawberry, and floral notes.
Top Wines to try in Sicily Recap:
- Nero D’Avola
- Frappato
- Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Need more ideas for what to pair with local Italian wines? Grab your FREE wine pairing cheatsheet here!
Abruzzo
Abruzzo, located in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, is a wine region that combines rugged natural beauty with a rich winemaking tradition. Known for producing wines with excellent value, Abruzzo’s wine industry has seen significant growth in both quality and reputation in recent years, making it the fifth-largest producing region in Italy.
Famous wines of Abruzzo
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the region’s flagship wine and one of Italy’s most famous red wines. It is made from the Montepulciano grape–not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tuscany, which is made from Sangiovese grapes.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is the region’s most important white wine, made from the Trebbiano grape, which is widely planted throughout Italy. Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, a rose, and Pecorino and Passerina, both white wines, are also produced here.
All fantastic wine that you’ll get the chance to sip and savor when you grab your spot on the 10 day Italy’s Epicurean Journey that takes you from private chef experiences with wine pairings served by the winemaker himself and enjoying beautiful farm-to-table rustic cuisine inside local family homes in Abruzzo untouched territory.
Top Wines to try in Abruzzo Recap:
- Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
- Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
- Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Puglia
Puglia, the sun-soaked region at the heel of Italy’s boot, is a dynamic and historically rich wine region known for producing robust and full-bodied wines. Puglia’s landscape is characterized by vast plains and gentle hills, with a warm Mediterranean climate that provides ideal conditions for viticulture. As one of Italy’s largest wine-producing regions, Puglia has long been a significant contributor to the country’s wine output, and it is gaining recognition for both the quality and diversity of its wines.
Quality and diversity that you’ll get to taste for yourself when you visit a family-run independent winery on Passport to Puglia in the Itria Valley, known for it’s conical trulli houses and lush green landscape that shines during the month of May.
Main grape production in Salento
Head further south to try Salice Salentino, located in the heart of the Salento peninsula, is Puglia’s most famous wine appellation. This famous Italian wine region is best known for its red wines from the Negroamaro grape. These wines are characterized by their deep color, rich flavors of blackberries, plums, and spices, and a hint of earthiness.
Popular grapes produced in Puglia
Other wines produced in Puglia include Primitivo di Manduria, which is genetically linked to California’s Zinfandel, Castel del Monte, and Bombino Bianco/Nero. This grape, in addition to Negroamaro, is often used to produce a variety of Rosato (Rosé wines) as Puglia’s warm climate and cuisine carved a tradition of Rosé production throughout the region of Puglia, making Puglia one of the best region for Rosé lovers to visit.
Top Wines to try in Pugila Recap:
- Negroamaro
- Primitivo di Manduria
- Rosato wines produced with Negroamaro and/or Primitivo grapes
Marche
Marche is an up-and-coming wine region with a wine-making tradition dating back to ancient times and evidence of viticulture from the Roman period.
Famous white wine production in Marche
Verdicchio is the most famous white grape variety in Marche, and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is its flagship wine. Produced in the hills around Jesi, this wine is known for its bright acidity, crisp minerality, and complex citrus, green apple, and almond flavors.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi can be found in various styles, from young and fresh to more complex, oak-aged versions. The “Classico” designation refers to the wine made from the original, hilly part of the appellation, often considered the highest quality.
Pecorino is more than just the name of a famous Italian cheese; it’s also a crisp and versatile white wine with deep roots in the regions of Le Marche and Abruzzo. This wine, produced from a hardy grape that thrives in the cooler, mountainous terrain of Italy’s Adriatic coast, boasts a complex aroma and flavor profile, with notes of acacia, lime, and a hint of minerality.
Initially overlooked and even used as table wine, Pecorino has now emerged as a refined choice, perfect for pairing with a wide range of dishes—from classic Italian cuisine to international flavors. Its unique ability to age well and its higher-than-average alcohol content make it a “red dressed in white,” offering both structure and freshness.
Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, produced in the South, involves a distinctive traditional triple-fermentation process known as “Metodo Martinotti” or “Charmat Method” for sparkling wines. The wine undergoes its second fermentation in stainless steel tanks, which produces its characteristic fizz.
Top Reds from Marche
Le Marche’s locally famous wine regions are not just relegated to award-winning white wine production. This region laded with diverse microclimates is also home to fantastic DOC and DOCG reds produced both with Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. Beautifully structured reds like Rosso Piceno Superiore and Offida Rosso, named after one of Italy’s Most beautiful villages that you’ll visit when you join us on Italy’s Epicurean Journey, pair beautiful with the local meat and truffle laden dishes you’ll find throughout Le Marche’s lush hinterlands.
Top Red Wines to try in Le Marche Recap:
- Rosso Piceno Superiore
- Rosso Conero
- Offida Rosso
Top White Wines to try in Le Marche Recap:
- Verdicchio di Matelica
- Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
- Pecorino
- Passerina
Hailed as all of Italy wrapped up into one region, Marche is a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list hidden gem for wine lovers looking to escape the tourist crowds of Tuscany or Sicily.
Want to meet the local winemakers behind this up-and-coming wine region and sip wine while looking out over endless rows of vineyards? This and so much more are all a part of the experience of Italy’s Epicurean Journey, based in the Marche region in Ascoli Piceno, a city older than Rome!
Got your heart set on visiting the top Italian wine regions for Verdicchio? Then you’ll love Italy Uncorked which visits not just one, but both Verdicchio DOC and DOCG production areas. Click here to browse this tour!
Umbria
Umbria, located in central Italy, is renowned for its scenic beauty, rich history, and diverse wine offerings. Often overshadowed by neighboring regions like Tuscany, Umbria has gained recognition for its high-quality wines and distinctive terroir.
Once relegated to producing the Orvieto DOC, a white wine produced since the middle ages, the region now produces very high-quality reds.
Umbria’s famous red wines
Sagrantino di Montefalco, for example, is one of Umbria’s flagship wines and one of only two DOCG wines in the region. Made from the indigenous Sagrantino grape, this red wine is renowned for its intense color, full body, and robust flavor profile.
Once nearly extinct, the Sagrantino grape has experienced a resurgence in recent decades. Its revival has helped to put Umbria on the map as a producer of high-quality red wines. It has garnered attention from wine enthusiasts and critics alike.
The other DOCG wine that Umbria is famous for is Torgiano Rosso Riserva. It is produced primarily with Sangiovese grapes and got its DOCG status in 1990. Requiring at least 3 years aging and a minimal alcohol content of 12.5%, this wine is a great choice for Umbria’s traditional cuisine that is centered around meat and legumes.
Top Wines to try in Umbria Recap:
- Orvieto
- Sangrantino di Montefalco
- Torgiano Rosso Riserva
Ready to escape the crowds and explore the hidden corners of Italy’s best-kept secret wine region? In this all-inclusive ten-day small group tour, you’ll experience multiple private wine tastings at award-winning wineries, plus an exclusive taste at the regional enoteca!
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