Oct 09 2009
Italian Wine Types
Before we touch Italian wine labels, let’s discover how many and what are the most common kinds of wine that we use to drink and what are the main characteristics that explain the variety of wine.
If we talk about color we know the basic three colors of this drink: white, red and rose. If we want to describe wine taste we can do it in many words, especially if we like that kind of wine we are talking about. But the taste of wine we can ordinary describe according to amount of sugar in it, so it can be dry, semi-dry or sweet. Also we distinguish sparkling and not sparkling types of this amazing beverage.
In Italy you can find dry, semi-dry, sweet, sparkling and not sparkling types, also you will be offered red and white wines, but don’t suppose to find there rose wine type, because it’s probably the only kind of wine that they don’t produce.
One of the most well known red Italian wine is chianti wine. Chianti wine is producing in Tuscany wine region from Sangiovese grapes. You can find Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina types, remember that Classico type they make in traditional and quality technology.
All Chianti wines are labeled with a black cock symbol on the bottle which tells us about the best quality characteristics of this drink. If you find inscription “Reserva” on the bottle of Chianti wine that means it is a wine of the three one-year exposure.
Brunello di Montalcino wine Italians is produced in Tuscany area from Sangiovese grapes, but to label this wine as “Reserva” it must have four years of exposure.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is produced from special mix of grapes sorts of which the main role Sangiovese grapes is playing.
Another red Italian wine with fullness of taste and bonquet is barolo wine. Barolo wine is produced in Piedmont from Nebbiolo grapes. If you like rich and astringent taste of wine you will certainly enjoy Barolo wine.
Barbaresco is also made from Nebbiolo grapes, but its taste is lighter than Barolo. Barbaresco and Barolo wine areas are very small.
If you want to try light white Italian wine you should taste Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont Italian region. Moscato d’Asti is made from Moscato grapes, it is very aerial and a little sparkling wine. Moscato d’Asti is an excellent choice if you want to organize a party.
Another example of outstanding Italian white wines is soave wine. Soave wine is an export wine produced in Venice. Soave has amazing taste and floral aroma.
Pinot Grigio wine represents dry and light category of Italian wines and it is produced in the north of Italy.
If you want to taste sweet red wine with fruity taste pay attention to Barbera wine, predominantly made in Piedmont Italian region.
Super-Tuscan is an Italian wine that is made in non traditional technology from mix of several Italian grapes types among which Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon are represented. But don’t think that if it is made in non traditional technology it is bad, because this kind of wine is produced in excellent quality.
