Sangiovese is by far the most popular and widespread red wine varietal in Italy - Chianti, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino are all made from this grape, and it is frequently used in blends. Primitivo is a close second, largely grown in Southern Italy.
Barolo is undoubtedly one of the most famous wines from Italy appreciated internationally due to its complexity, elegance and extraordinary aging potential.
Among the world's red wines, there's one that has gained the nickname of “King of Wines”, do you know which one is it? Easy, it's Barolo! Piemonte's signature wine is both the king of wines and the wine of kings.
Wine-lovers the world over crave the renowned Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello di Montalcino, the famed 'Killer B's' of Italy.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is most likely the most popular wine. Even though it is being produced in different regions all over the world, it originated from the famous Bordeaux region. The red color of the Cabernet Sauvignon is more on the darker side, slightly inclined toward plum hues.
Pinot Noir is the ultimate crowd-pleaser at dinner parties. Its light body and fruit-forward flavors make it a perfect pairing partner with many different dishes. Pinot Noir is also a wine style that will appeal to the palates of both entry-level dinner guests and wine enthusiasts.
Italians love wine – Chianti, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco – the whole shebang. It is said that Italians drink at least a glass of wine per day, and we're sure that's true. While the rest of the world may consider drinking 'wine' as a luxury, in Italy, it is treated as an everyday custom.
Cesanese has been hailed as Lazio's answer to Pinot Noir by Italian wine critics since at least the 1900s. A well-made Cesanese del Piglio or Olevano Romano often has berry aromas, floral notes, and pepper, with a silky texture and easy tannins.
Classic Italian red wines include Barolo and Barbaresco (both made from the Nebbiolo grape), Chianti and Chianti Classico (from the Sangiovese grape), Amarone and Valpolicella (from the Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes), and Nero d'Avola wine (from the Nero d'Avola grape).
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico refers to this iconic Italian red wine's classic, historic growing area. Produced with slightly stricter regulations than regular Chianti, these wines pair easily with a multitude of meals.
Cesanese del Piglio (DOCG)
You can't talk about red wines in Rome without mentioning Cesanese. This grape is indigenous to Lazio, with a history likely dating back to gladiator times.
Fruity, bitter, and iconically red, Campari was created in Milan in 1860 and the recipe has remained the same ever since. Although the exact formula is top secret, Campari's flavor is rife with intense orange peel, rhubarb, and bark.
It should come as no surprise that wine is one of the most popular Italian drinks. Both the production and consumption of wine play an important role in Italian history and culture.
Chianti is arguably the most popular wine amongst Italian people, and If there's anything we can trust the Italian's with… you guessed it, it's wine! Wine has been a passion in Italy for thousands of years and they have more than mastered the art of viticulture. Chianti pairs perfectly with red sauces.
Italy has given birth to countless virtuous interpretations of Pinot Noir vinified in red: for example, one can find Pinot Noir of great interest in the Mazzon plateau, in Alto Adige, a real flagship of Pinot Noir in Italy.
Aglianico. Be bold with this next Cabernet Sauvignon alternative. Aglianico is grown primarily in the Campania and Basilicata regions of Italy and is often overlooked by wine drinkers.
Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are two of the world's most popular wines. While Pinot Noir wine stands out with its light and fruity character, Cabernet Sauvignon has a more overpowering and savory flavor profile.
Italians typically drink wine rather than beer or cocktails with meals, with the exception of pizza, which they usually drink with beer.
Italians typically drink wine with meals, and it is not uncommon for them to have a glass or two (or more) with their lunch and dinner. So, how much wine do Italians drink? On average, every Italian drinks about 42 liters of wine annually. This is the equivalent of about 56 bottles of wine per person.
Campari - Characterized by its dark red color and bitter flavor, Campari is the National Drink of Italy. Born in the Piedmont city of Novara, this distinct Italian alcoholic liqueur is made from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water.
Which type of red wine is the smoothest? Varieties such as Merlot, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Grenache are typically low in tannin, and as such, are regarded as smooth.
Before 1989, not many wineries in the Chateauneuf du Pape region made a separate high-end wine. Today there are close to 100 selections and special cuvees which are produced in smaller quantities. Because of these low production volumes, these wines are sometimes tough to find, which increases the price of a bottle.
Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps the most well-known heaviest-bodied red wine from France. It is loaded with a fruity taste combined with cedar and pepper flavoring. Syrah has flavors ranging from thick red velvet cake to dark pitted olives.