Even though it’s a small country, Italy is one of the largest wine producers – and consumers – in the world, and the wines it produces are among the best and most distinctive. The wines produced in Italy can vary widely in taste and quality, due to the many different growing conditions and wine-making cultures in the country’s various wine-producing regions. There are a few characteristics, however, that are common to many Italian Wines.
For one thing, Italian wines are relatively acidic. This is especially characteristic of wines produced in cooler northern climates where wines are higher in malic and tartaric acid. Acidity gives wine a crisp taste. White wines tend to be more acidic than red ones, in general. One of the most acidic Italian wines is Pinot Grigio. Other crisp whites from Italy include Trebbiano and Verdicchio.
Italian Wines are also known for the aroma characteristic of earthiness. This refers to a slight aroma of earthy scents like mushrooms or grass or rich soil. Earthy aromas are often related to chemical compounds in the wine. Red wines from the north are more likely to have this scent. A Sangiovese wine from Tuscany will have a strong earthy aroma.
In addition, the majority of Italian wines are medium bodied, pairing better with a variety of foods than heavier wines. The quantity of alcohol in wine determines its body. A higher alcohol content makes a wine viscous and heavy, and lower alcohol results in a lighter mouth feel. Medium-bodied wine has between 12.5% and 13.5% alcohol. Chianti, the staple table wine of Italian restaurants all across America, is a good example of a medium bodied red.
Italy’s top wines include Super-Tuscans, which is Sangiovese blended another red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Super Tuscans are expensive, high-end wines. Other top reds are Barolo and Barbaresco wines, made from the Nebbiolo grape, and Amarone wines, from the Valpolicella region. Pinot Grigio is the favored Italian white for most consumers. If you are looking for wines from Italy, you can check out the selection available at Towne Cellars Wines & Liquors Inc.
