Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, and is second only to France in per capita consumption. Winemaking has been carried on here for at least 3,500 years utilizing many varieties unique to the area. Among these are Lambrusco, Freisa, Barbera, and Sangiovese for red and rosé wines. Bianco, Cortese, Greco, Trebbiano, and Verdicchio are among the Italian varieties used for white wines. These are augmented by varieties original to France and Germany that are being grown in Italy, such as Pinot Grigio, otherwise known as Pinot Gris. As has France, Italy has implemented a quality control system with the highest being Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). Italy's 20 growing regions are not defined by any particular grape variety or wine style, but some produce more DOC/DOCC wines than others.


Chianti from the Tuscany Region

Tuscany in central Italy is a large wine-producing area that consists of five DOCG-designed regions. Chianti is one of these, and is further subdivided into seven smaller zones including one that produces the most famous and best of all chiantis, Chianti Classico. Chianti Classico is usually packaged in a straw-covered bottle called a "fiaschi" and has a picture of a black rooster on the label. Some higher-end Chianti Classicos are packaged in the traditional Bordeau-type bottle. In order to be identified as "Riserva," the wine must be aged for at least three years.


Asti Spumanti from the Piedmont Region

The DOCG-designated Piedmont region near the town of Asti produces Asti Spumante, Italy's most famous sparkling wine. Made from the Muscat grape, it is packaged like Champagne with a wired-down cork and is considered a more affordable alternative to its French cousin. The wine should be drunk young and fresh, like the other DOCG sparkling wine, Moscato d'Asti. Asti Spumanti is second only to Chianti in popularity among Italian wines.


Lambrusco from the Emilia-Romagna Region

There are over 60 sub-varieties of the Lambrusco grape grown throughout Italy and transformed into the wine of the same name. The best-known version is a pale, slightly frizzante wine. A rosé version is also made. But in Italy, the preferred Lambruscos are dry and made in the Emilia-Romagna region north of Tuscany. Lambrusco Sorbaro is the best of these, and comes from grapes grown around the village of Sorbano.


Bardolino, Valpolicella and Soave form the Veneto Region

Veneto is one of the top producing regions of high-quality Italian wines. The best-known wines from this area include Bardolino, Valpolicella, and Soave, all grown in the DOC regions of the same names near Verona. Bardolino Classico wines are made from superior grapes, and Bardolino Novello is similar to a French Beaujolais in that it must be bottled before the end of the vintage year. Valpolicella is the second most-popular Italian red wine after Chianti, with the best ones being labeled "Classico" to indicate they come from the most reputable vineyards. Soave produces Italy's most popular dry white wine for everyday consumption.


Barolo

Barolo is one of the very few DOCG-designed areas in Italy. This designation requires the highest standards of quality, including aging for at least three years. The red wines from Barolo are viewed by many as Italy's best, and tend to be full-bodied and complex.