Most Famous Italian Wine Regions

We all know just how good Italian food is, but can the same be said about Italian wine? Of course! Both play a monumental role in helping to define Italy’s culture and overall identity; so it comes as no great shock that we love combining the two in order to uncover the true tastes of Italy.

Due to the perfect environment and climate, Italy is the world’s largest wine producer, with various types of grapes able to flourish here naturally. Italian wine has been crafted for over 4,000 years, with the winemaking knowledge and expertise being passed down the generations. 

Picturesque vineyards are dotted throughout the Italian countryside, and many regions are famous for their unique indigenous grapes and distinctive flavours. Here are some of the best regions to look out for when searching for a beautiful bottle of delicious Italian wine to enjoy. 

Umbria

Umbria is a small region with rolling hills with those glorious traditional hilltop villages and historic towns which are a treat for the eye to behold. This region is in a central location, which is affectionately known as Italy’s ‘green heart’. This area is the only region in Italy without a coastline or an international border, and it is best known for the production of white wine.

Historically, the most famous wine to come from this region is ‘Orvieto’, a semi-sweet white wine which is complex with hints of fruit and flowers. This beautiful wine has been produced for over 2,000 years and has evolved into a crisp wine that is popular with drinkers across the globe.

Apulia

Known as Puglia in Italian, is a long and narrow region that can be found on the ‘heel’ of the Italian boot that faces towards the Adriatic Sea. This region is currently the largest producer of wine across Italy, as they contribute 17% of the national total. The northern area of the region is temperate and cool, whereas the south offers more of a warm and dry Mediterranean climate - cool breezes sweep from the Mediterranean on all three sides of Apulia making it the ideal location for vineyards.

Most Puglia wine is red, full-bodied and pairs really well with most Italian food. Red grapes of significance grown in the region are; Uva di Troia, Negroamaro, Primitivo and Malvasia Nera. The most common is the earthy and rustic Negroamaro grape that offers a spicy and fruity taste.

Sicily

Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest island, and it is located west of the very southern tip of Italy. Sicilian wine roots go all the way back to the 17th-century. Since then, Sicily’s wine has been greatly influenced by various different cultures including the original Sicilians, the Greeks and the Romans. 

Naturally, Sicily has grown to be one of the most exciting wine regions in Europe as it is favoured with glorious sunshine, diverse terrain and unique indigenous grapes. The region now has the most vineyards throughout the whole of Italy, exporting abundances of both white and red wine.