The 4 Best Bottles of Italian Wine You Simply Must Try

If you can’t travel to Italy right now, bring Italy to you with some of the country’s most delicious wines. Pair them with your favorite pasta or risotto, light some candles, and raise your glass to some of the most wonderful flavors to come from Europe.

Popular Italian Red Wines

Rosso vino, or red wine from Italy, is some of the best in the world. The likely reason it’s so good is that the Italians have been making wine since the time of the Greek colonization. What’s more, the climate is ideal for growing grapes, and millions of vineyards are scattered throughout the country.

Barolo and Barbaresco

Made from Nebbiolo wine grapes grown in the Piedmont region, Barolo and Barbaresco are two of Italy’s most famous red wines. Known for their deceptively translucent appearance and delicate aromas, Barolo and Barbaresco will surprise you with their bold flavors of cherry, coffee, and anise. 

Both wines pair beautifully with Italian foods rich in garlic or with tomato-based sauces. They’re also excellent with fatty meats, such as steak, prime rib, or prosciutto.

Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico is only produced in one place in the world—central Tuscany. This dry, red blend wine is composed of 80% Sangiovese grapes blended with other native grapes such as Canaiolo Nero, Colorino, and sometimes even Merlot. 

Chianti Classico is a savory wine with flavors of red fruits, dried herbs, balsamic vinegar, smoke, and game. It is the ideal wine to sip with your favorite pizza or steak.

Popular Italian White Wines

While Italy is famous for its red wines, Italian winemakers have actually produced more white wine in the past decade. While much of that is Pinot Grigio and Prosecco, Italy also makes a variety of other wonderful white wines.

Vermentino di Gallura

Sardinian Vermentino grapes produce this classic dry Italian white wine that is acidic with a touch of minerality. Like France’s Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino di Gallura boasts grapefruit and citrus flavors with a somewhat bitter finish. 

Pesto and other fresh herb sauces pair well with this light wine, as do seafood like oysters and clams.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Considered the jewel of Tuscany, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a delicate white wine with floral aromas and fresh flavors of citrus fruits and butterscotch. The wine has been produced since 1200 and is even mentioned by Dante in The Divine Comedy.

Serve Vernaccia di San Gimignano with fish, seafood, pasta with pesto, or any truffle-based dish. It also beautifully complements the flavors of classic Italian dishes such as ravioli, spaghetti, or Chicken Cacciatore.

Final Thoughts

There are literally hundreds of Italian wines worthy of your wine collection, but these four are particularly excellent choices. Adding any of them to your menu will take your Italian adventure to new heights.