Italian Wine Map and Exploration Guide

Written by Madeline Puckette

If you tasted a new Italian wine each week, it would take you 20 years to taste your way through Italy. Thus, why not use an Italian wine map to unlock this never-ending adventure?

Let’s take a closer look at the wines and major wine regions of Italy!

How many Italian wines are there?

Short answer: well over 500.

The book Wine Grapes identifies 377 unique indigenous wine grapes in Italy. And, with the existence of biotypes or sub-varieties (these are genetically identical grapes but with morphological and physiological differences), many believe this number is much higher.

Plus, if you add the 408 DOP (Denominazioni di Origine Protetta) also known as regional wine quality denominations (wines labeled “DOC” or “DOCG”), many of which have multiple styles, the number gets even larger.

Fortunately, each of Italy’s 20 regions specializes in just a few primary wines, and this is where you can start.

Below you’ll find a list of Italy’s 20 major regions, their vineyard plantings, and popular wines.

There are a whopping 51 wines listed below! Challenge yourself to try them all over the next year and you’ll gain a profound understanding of Italian wine… just remember to take good tasting notes!


Sicily Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Sicily

257,152 acres / 104,068 hectares

Nero d’Avola (red): A bolder red wine variety with fruity flavors of plum, raspberry sauce, and licorice with fine tannins with a somewhat smoky, spiced finish. Pairs excellently with rich roasted meats and veggies.

Inzolia, Grillo, and Catarratto (white): Three white wine grapes typically used for Marsala but also make for great, more full-bodied, chardonnay-like whites. Think lemons, yellow apples, mango, notes of tarragon, and a refreshing salty sea breeze.

New Guide: Explore the wines and regions of Sicily in the Sicily Wine Region Guide.


Puglia Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Puglia

204,500 acres / 82,760 hectares

Primitivo (red): This red wine explodes with sweet red strawberries, blackberries, leather, and a whiff of smoke. It’s the same grape as Zinfandel in the US and will cozy alongside BBQ burgers.

Negroamaro (red): A deeper, darker red wine from Puglia with more plum and herbal notes of dried sage and oregano. There’s a Negroamaro blend with Malvasia Nera, and together they make a perfect balance in a rich red wine called Salice Salentino DOC.


Veneto Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Veneto

191,858 acres / 77,644 hectares

Prosecco (sparkling): The most famous sparkling wine from Italy is grown mostly in Veneto around the region of Valdobbiadene. Keep your eyes peeled for wines labeled with the sub-regions of Colli Asolani and Valdobbiadene Conegliano or Prosecco Superiore. Read more about Prosecco here.

Garganega (white): A grape found mostly around Soave and Gambellara (and labeled as such). These wines are dry and lean with notes of preserved lemon, honeydew melon, and a touch of green almond on the finish. Learn more about Soave.

Corvina (red): Corvina is the most important of a blend of 3 grapes (Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara) used in Valpolicella and Bardolino. Wines offer tart red cherry, cinnamon, carob, and green peppercorn flavors. A great wine to try is Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso.

Merlot (red): Merlot is planted nearly all over Italy and has a significant presence in Veneto, where wines offer red cherry fruit in a more elegant style. Several regions use Merlot in Veneto (it’s one of the most planted grapes), including Colli Euganei, Colli Berici, Breganze, and Vicenza.

New Guide: Discover your next favorite sparkling wine in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Wine Region Guide.


Tuscany Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Toscana / Tuscany

147,862 acres / 59,839 hectares

Sangiovese (red): The most planted red wine of Tuscany and all of Italy is famous from the regions of Chianti, Montalcino, and Montepulciano in Tuscany. Wines offer raspberry, roasted tomato, and balsamic flavors with an earthy whiff of wet clay. There are many great values to try including Chianti Superiore, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Montecucco.

Super Tuscan (red): Some wines from Tuscany use made-up names and include Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in a blend referred to as a “super Tuscan.” Wines offer bold black cherry and raspberry flavors with cocoa and subtle notes of leather.


Emilia Romagna Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Emilia Romagna

134,859 acres / 55,796 hectares

Lambrusco (red sparkling): A grouping of several red grape varieties that make for light-bodied sparkling red wines with notes of strawberries, blackberries, rhubarb, and hibiscus. There are several sweetness levels available from Secco (dry) to Dolce (sweet).


Piedmont Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Piemonte / Piedmont

137,872 acres / 46,317 hectares

Barbera (red): A juicy red wine with dominant flavors of tart cherry and licorice with a subtle dried herbal note (like oregano) on the finish. Wines have low tannin and plenty of quenching acidity. Seek out Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba.

Dolcetto (red): A juicy red wine with lower acidity that bursts with flavors of black plum, boysenberry, violet and sometimes mocha flavors. Wines often have bolder, crunchy tannins. Look out for Dolcetto d’Alba and Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore.

Moscato d’Asti (sparkling): A delicately floral sweet wine that explodes with aromas of mandarin orange, honeysuckle, orange blossom and pear.

Nebbiolo (red): The grape of Piedmont’s most famous wine region called Barolo, but the wine is also known by several other regional names (Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Roero, etc). This wine offers red cherry fruit and floral strawberry notes with a frame of bolder gripping tannings.

Cortese (white): A lean, dry white wine that’s most known labeled as the region Gavi. Wines have intense graphite-like minerality, with herbs, citrus, a viscous body, and often a note of grapefruit pith on the finish.


Abruzzo Wine Region Italy by Wine Folly

Abruzzo

79,539 acres / 32,189 hectares

Montepulciano (red): Not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a Sangiovese wine from Tuscany. Montepulciano is a wine grape that makes medium-bodied red wines with plum, boysenberry, and coffee flavors with subtle notes of herbs and crushed black pepper. Most notably, look for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Rosso Conero (from Marche).

Trebbiano (white): One of Italy’s most planted, but least talked about, white grapes that produce medium to full-bodied white wines with citrus, apple, and tropical fruit flavors in a similar style to Chardonnay.


Campania Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Campania

57,290 acres / 23,185 hectares

Aglianico (red): A full-bodied red wine with deep savory notes of white pepper, smoke and cured meats that give way to subtle notes of black cherry and spiced plum. Aglianico has high tannins and acidity that make it, so the wine improves after a decade of aging. From Campania, seek out Aglianico del Taburno.

Falanghina (white): A fuller-bodied white (similar to Chardonnay) with peach, lemon, and pear flavors with subtle notes of honey and sweet-smelling flowers.


Lombardy wine region map by Wine Folly

Lombardy

57,052 acres / 23,089 hectares

Bonarda (red): aka Croatina and not the same Bonarda from Argentina (it’s confusing), this grape is commonly made in a barely sparkling style with juicy black fruit flavors and supporting notes of black and green peppercorn. The region most known for this style is labeled Oltrepò Pavese Bonarda.

Pinot Nero (red): Classic Burgundy-styled Pinot Noir wines grow all over Oltrepò Pavese and are made into red, rosé, and sparkling (blanc de noirs) wines.

Grasevina (white): aka Riesling Italico or Welschriesling A light-bodied dry white wine with apple and citrus flavors that have tropical undertones of pineapple and mango.


Friuli-Venezia Giulia Wine Region may by Wine Folly

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

47,566 acres / 19,250 hectares

Pinot Grigio (white): One of two top regions making the best Pinot Grigio in Italy. Wines are dry, lean, and minerally with subtle notes of white peach, lemon-lime, and subtle salinity.

Merlot (red): An earthy style of Merlot wine with notes of leather and clove with juicy cherry flavors.

Sauvignon (white): Usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignonasse with green, zesty flavors of gooseberry, lime, honeydew melon, lemongrass, and pea shoots.

Refosco (red): A spicy tart red wine with notes of tart cherries and blackberries enveloped in peppery, flinty notes, and lower tannin.


Sardinia Wine Region map by Wine Folly

Sardinia

45,627 acres / 18,465 hectares

Cannonau (red): aka Grenache. In Sardinia, wines have a distinctly leather and strawberry-like note with a juicy, full-bodied style and medium tannins.

Vermentino (white): A dry, medium-bodied white wine with flavors of grapefruit, lime, mango, and apple flavors with flowery daffodil-like aromas. Wine to find: Vermentino di Sardegna and Vermentino di Gallura

>Carignano (red): aka Carignan. Wine bursting with red berry fruit, balsamic and leather-like flavors with a smoother, supple, low tannin finish. Wine to find: Carignano del Sulcis


Marche Wine Region map by Wine Folly

Marche

41,377 acres / 16,745 hectares

Sangiovese (red): Typically, a more herbaceous style of Sangiovese with ripe plum and berry flavors, bold tannins and dried herbs on the finish. Look for Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese.

Montepulciano (red): Smoky tobacco, mocha, and wild berry flavors that range from supple and smooth to chewy on the finish. Look for Rosso Conero.

Verdicchio (white): A lean, dry white wine with pear skin and preserved lemon flavors supported with a creamy, oily palate. A great wine for pairing with fish. Look for Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi.


Lazio Wine Region Map by Wine Folly

Lazio

40,527 acres / 16,401 hectares

Frascati (white): A blend of white grapes that primarily include Malvasia and Trebbiano but may also include Chardonnay and others. Wines are usually relatively light alcohol with flavors of lemon and flinty-like notes (due to the region’s volcanic soils).

Merlot and Sangiovese (red blend): Blended wines feature primarily Merlot and/or Sangiovese and offer blackberry, chocolate, mint and tobacco-like flavors. This is essentially a “Super Lazio.”

Cesanese (red): An ancient bold rustic red wine with savory notes of roasted meats, wild berries, and scorched earth. Read more about Cesanese.


Trentino-Alto-Adige Wine Region map by Wine Folly

Trentino-Alto Adige

38,691 acres / 15,658 hectares

Trento (Sparkling): Using Chardonnay grapes, Trento makes a blanc de blancs style of sparkling wine. Wines have aromas of yellow apple, lemon peel, honeycomb, and creamy bubble finesse.

Pinot Grigio (white): One of the 2 top regions for Pinot Grigio in Italy. Look for Pinot Grigio labeled from either Alto Adige or Trentino.

Teroldego (red): A bold-but-juicy red wine with notes of blackberries, sweet anise, orange peel, and sweet tobacco smoke.

Lagrein (red): A rustic, earthy red with black cherry and plums wrapped in espresso, graphite, and fine-grained tannins.

Schiava/Vernatsch (red): A light-bodied, dry, fruity, and floral red wine with aromas of sweet cherry, strawberry, violet, and sometimes cotton-candy-like flavors. Read up on Schiava

New Guide: Discover delicious wines and beautiful regions in the newly released Alto Adige Region Guide.


Umbria Wine region map by Wine Folly

Umbria

30,865 acres / 12,491 hectares

Sangiovese (red): A full-bodied style of Sangiovese with raspberry, plum, and tobacco flavors supported with ample acidity, and bold chewy tannins. Great examples to try are Montefalco Rosso and Torgiano

Grechetto (white): A lean, dry white wine with melon and starfruit flavors that lead into a minerally, zesty finish. Most notably, you’ll find the wines of Orvietto, which include a blend of Grechetto and other varieties as well as wines labeled Grechetto from Umbria and its sub-regions.

Sagrantino (red): Quite possibly the world’s most high tannin red wine. It exudes deep, lush plum, blackberry, black cherry, and subtle notes of violet, sage, and bergamot. Tannins build with bitter green flavors on the palate.


Calabria Wine Region map by Wine Folly

Calabria

24,179 acres / 9,785 hectares

Gaglioppo (red): Spiced cedar, dusty leather, and herbs reveal crushed cherry and dried cranberry flavors.


Molise wine region map by Wine Folly

Molise

12,736 acres / 5,154 hectares

Montepulciano (red): A dry, full-bodied, moderately tannic red wine with flavors of sweet wild berries, prunes, smoke, and cocoa dust. Montepulciano del Molise has a special Riserva bottling that has extended aging time and is usually exceptional for the value. There’s also Biferno Rosso, which is a blend of Montepulciano and Aglianico.

Tintilia Del Molise (red): A very rare full-bodied wine with blackberry, black plum, violet, and cocoa dust aromas. It can have bolder tannins and is said to be able to age a long time.


Basilicata wine region map by WIne Folly

Basilicata

12,016 acres / 4,863 hectares

Aglianico (red): A full-bodied red wine with deep savory notes of white pepper, smoke and cured meats that give way to subtle notes of black cherry and spiced plum. Aglianico has high tannins and acidity and improves with a decade of aging. From Basilicata, seek out Aglianico del Vulture. Read more about Aglianico.


Liguria wine region map by Wine Folly

Liguria

3,800 acres / 1,538 hectares

Vermentino (white): In some areas, the wines are called Pigato, which is a unique biotype of Vermentino that tends to have slightly higher aromatics and a rich, waxy texture. Wines offer aromas of aromatic green herbs, citrus zest, and spice. One of the more intriguing whites of Liguria is a blend of primarily Vermentino, Albarola and Bosco called Cinque Terre from around La Spezia.


Val d'Aosta wine region map by wine folly

Val d’Aosta

1,144 acres / 463 hectares

Petit Rouge (red): A light red wine with aromas of cranberry, wild huckleberry, rose, dill, and wet leaves. The DOCs of Enfer d’Arvier, Torrette, and Chambave all have high percentages of Petit Rouge in the blend.

Petite Arvine (white): A light-bodied white wine that’s popular in Switzerland (in the Valais region) as well as Aosta valley. Wines taste of Grapefruit and Honeydew melons with high acidity and a little bit of salinity.

Sources

  • Anderson, Kym. "Which Winegrape Varieties Are Grown Where? A Global Empirical Picture." The University of Adelaide. University of Adelaide Press, n.d. Web. 7 July 2014.
  • Robinson, Jancis, Julia Harding, and Jose Vouillamoz. Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, including Their Origins and Flavours. New York: Ecco, 2012. Print.
  • See the full list of DOC and DOCGs here (pdf).

Written byMadeline Puckette

James Beard Award-winning author and Wine Communicator of the Year. I co-founded Wine Folly to help people learn about wine. @WineFolly