Italian wines  11

Bella Italia! Who doesn't fall under the spell of the many facets that the peninsula has to offer? Everything is beautiful, everything is good. A land of romance, it is the undisputed benchmark of elegance and sophistication. The same goes for the wines it produces...

Did you know that Italy was the largest wine producer in the world?

In addition to having a centuries-old winemaking tradition, the geological and climatological diversity is exceptional. This translates into an incredible diversity of terroirs and grape varieties that are cultivated there. More than 400, officially! Considering the mutations and diversification of clonal varieties, we don't really know... It is said that no one can claim to know them all.

All the known techniques are practiced and some are unique in the world! From north to south, there is no region in Italy that does not produce wines.

Italian top-of-the-range wines make you dream just by mentioning their names: Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, great wines such as Barolo Pio Cesare... and Amarone Bolla... um, so many emotions. Of course, one cannot only revel in these legendary nectars. But Italy offers an array of sublime, affordable wines whose pleasure will have nothing to envy their peers. Puglia wines, Sardinian wines and Sicilian wines, to name but a few, are unquestionably the best quality wines in their price range. Discover the wine list of the different Italian wine regions.

If diversity is the watchword of Italian wine culture, the consumer may be faced with a dilemma. So how to choose? Although it is accepted that Prosecco is an integral part of a successful aperitif, that fresh white wines, whether rich, fruity or even iodized, are the ideal companions for seafood and that Italian red wines can support traditional cuisine, our online wine shop gives you access to all the information you might need. Find all our italian wine tips on the blog.

Do you know the difference between the two Italian wines: Barbaresco and Barolo?

Piedmont is famous for its Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellations, both produced from Nebbiolo, a noble, fragrant grape variety. Both are located around Alba. Barbaresco extends rather to the northeast while Barolo occupies the southwest. They are differentiated by their geological and climatological nuances. Barbaresco wines are produced on slightly more fertile and naturally better ventilated soils. This results in wines that are less concentrated, but offer greater subtlety in their youth. Legislation also provides for a maturation period of 2 years before marketing, compared to the 3 years imposed for Barolos. This allows them to become more supple over time to bring out their full potential.

The fruity Barbera-based wines and the famous Moscato d'Asti, a lightly sparkling, sweet, low-alcohol wine, also have DOC designations.

The wines of the Langhe DOC appellation cover and encompass the entire periphery. In addition to Nebbiolo, it accepts the cultivation of Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah as reds, but also white wines made from Arneis, Favorita and Chardonnay.

Find the best Barolo wines on our online wine shop for Italian wines in Switzerland

Did you realize that Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto were all produced from the same grape varieties? What is the difference between Classico and Superiore wines?

Veneto is the motherland of the great Valpolicella wines, which have multiple DOCG appellations. Wines must be produced from grapes harvested and vinified in a well-defined area. The main grape varieties are Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara.

Classically vinified wine (not to be confused with Classico, see below) is generically called Valpolicella. The Amarone, for its part, is distinguished by the fact that the grapes, before being put into fermentation, are first dried. These wines are called "passerillés" or simply straw wines! This dry winemaking technique gives a greater intensity of taste and a greater potential for sugar and alcohol. The Ripasso is a wine with an intermediate technique where the Valpolicella wine is "ironed" on Amarone lees, still warm, which provokes a second fermentation, enhances the aromatic complexity and raises the alcohol level. Finally, the Recioto is a wine produced on the same principles as the Amarone, except that the passerillage period lasts two months longer and that the wine does not pass through wood. The fermentation of the Recioto is interrupted, giving it an exceptional smoothness and charm. It is said that the Amarone was born when a barrel of Recioto was found and its fermentation was continued until a dry wine was produced. Tasting it and discovering its most bitter sensation, the owner would have expressed himself as "Ma e Amaro". He had become Amarone!

The wines of Valpolicella are then distinguished by the notions of Classico or Superiore. The title Classico determines a very distinct geographical area for the production of Amarone while the Superiore label simply indicates that the Valpolicella wine has been aged longer and has a higher than normal level of alcohol, a sign of a riper harvest!

Find the best Amarone wines on alfavin.ch.

What makes Tuscan wines qualify as Super?

Tuscany is probably the most famous wine region in Italy! The Sangiovese grape variety reigns supreme here, with wines of great righteousness, imbued with sunshine and finesse. Among its great appellations are Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (which accepts Canaiolo and other local varietals) and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG produced from Sangiovese Grosso.

In the 1960s and 1970s, some estates had the bold and controversial idea of planting various Bordeaux grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) to produce great wines. The Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Orma, Oreno, Masseto, or Tignanelo, blended with Sangiovese, were born! Today, they enjoy immense international success. Formerly classified as table wines, some now have specific appellations such as Bolgheri DOC or even Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC! These great wines are often referred to as "Super-Tuscan" wines.

We like to recall that the term Super-Tuscan was coined in the 1980s to refer to a Tuscan red wine made from international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. As the term "Super-Tuscan" is not an official designation, it does not appear on the bottle label. Apart from a few specific appellations, "Super-Toscans" are therefore classified as "Toscana IGT".

Do you know all the diversity of the south?

Numerous appellations have been granted for wines from Puglia, Basilicata, Campania and Calabria. Although dominated by Primitivo (including the famous Primitivo di Manduria), a multitude of grape varieties and terroirs enhance the range of wines on offer. These regions are also the home of the structured Negroamaro in the Salice Salentino IGT appellations, in particular, and of the noble Aglianico and Malvasia Nera, combining complexity and sensitivity when the delicacy of the table is there. The south of the peninsula also produces some very great white wines! From this diversity are born sweet and savoury wines, gentle comfort in the face of the power of the ambient sun, accompanying the dolce vita par excellence!

Sardinia is the undisputed kingdom of Cannonau with the appellation Cannonau di Sardegna (DOP), a wine full of strength and subtlety. In Sicily, the complexity of the terroirs and 23 DOP, Sicilian wines offer a range of grape varieties from Nero d'Avola, a solar red wine, to Chardonnay, generally the lord of cool and delicate climates.

Due to the richness of the terroirs and the diversity of grape varieties that Italy offers, this list of wines and appellations is obviously not exhaustive. From the infinite range of wines produced in Italy, we have selected for you, over the years, encounters and sensitivities that are the finest in all price ranges. By clicking on the products offered below in our online shop of Italian wines, you will access all the relevant information to find the wine that corresponds to the criteria of your choice. Whether you are a fan of Barolo, Amarone, Primitivo di Manduria or Sassicaia, let the technical descriptions of the wines in our assortment guide you in finding the ideal companion for the desired wine experience.

You'd like to learn more about Italian wines ? Check our blog articles:

• Which Italian wine for which dish ?
• Typical Italian wines
• What are the most expensive Italian wines ?
• Top 10 best Italian wines
• Which are the wine making regions of Italy ?

Your advisor and expert for Italian wines in Switzerland, alfavin.ch