This is a collaborative post: Italy is a country with a big reputation for wine. Some of the locations have gone on to become cultural touchstones, even among people who couldn’t point to them on a map. If you’ve got a taste for quality Italian wine, then there are a few regions which stand out as worth visiting at least once. When planning your wine-focused Italy trip, you’ll want to consider a few of the locations we’ll examine here.
Chianti
A favourite of Hannibal Lector, Chianti is a hilly region in the centre of Tuscany. This part of the country is exactly what you might expect from an Italian wine trip. There are rolling, vine-shrouded hills, and a series of little medieval villages with Romanesque churches, all baking beneath the summer sun. For an unparalleled experience, consider embarking on a custom luxury wine tour of Tuscany Italy, where you can explore the finest vineyards and taste exquisite wines tailored to your preferences.
Sangiovese grapes tend to dominate in Chianti, and in Tuscany more broadly. That means mostly reds – though this grape can actually be used to make white wine. There are also Chardonnays and Merlots on offer, and so if you’re committed to whites, you don’t need to come away disappointed. Best yet, you can usually find wines to suit every price point.
Veneto
When it comes to Bucket List destinations, Venice usually features fairly prominently for many people. With its marvellous and distinctive canals, and gorgeous historic buildings, it holds a unique appeal for many. If you can find time, then it’s worth taking a trip through some of the surrounding countryside, as there are several villas to be found.
Villa Cordevigo stands out as worth a trip. On the other hand, it can be less than economical to pay for accommodation in Venice and then make the trip out to Veneto – which is why it’s worth exploring some of the wine-tasting experiences on offer in the city, which will bring the flavour of the countryside to you.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is spectacular and picturesque, and worth visiting in its own right. But, even better, it’s surrounded by amazing vineyards. Pay a visit to Azienda Agricola Pratello, which opened in the 1860s and is now famous for its locally-sourced produce, including olive oils, as well as the wine. There’s also Perla del Garda, and Costarip, worth considering: they’re both family-run wineries just a stone’s throw from the shores of the lake itself.
Franciacorta
Midway between Lake Garda and Lake Como we find Lake Iseo, in the vicinity of which we find the Franciacorta region. This place is distinct for its famous sparkling wines, but it’s something of a recent addition to the landscape, with the first wines produced here coming to market in 1961.
Puglia
Finally, we should mention Puglia. This region is characterised by the Primotivo grape, which produces big, bold profiles in red wine. Expect sharp berry-infused acidity. The best wineries in the region are the Cantina di Venosa, Cantine Paololeo, and Leone de Castris – make time to visit them all!