Italians love wine, and that comes as no surprise once you realize that Italy is one of the world’s largest wine producers. There are hundreds of wines from Italy, from Sangiovese in Tuscany to fortified dessert wines in Sicily. With so many options, how could you possibly decide which iconic Italian wine to try?
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. This guide details a list of the best different types of Italian wine, including red, white, sparkling, and fortified varieties, as well as some of the top notes and how to pair them.
READ NEXT: When you’re done here, take a quick peek at some of the best wineries in Italy to visit on your next vacation.
Italian Red Wines
Red wine styles are often associated with boldness or luxury and are one of the more popular wine varieties from Italy. Their most distinctive feature is the color, which comes from using dark fruit, like Tuscany’s Sangiovese grapes or Piedmont’s Nebbiolo and Barbera grape varieties.
They’re quite versatile, ranging from light and fruity to deeper and fuller-bodied. These next few options are definitely worth a try.
1. Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella is likely one of the most famous wines coming from the Veneto region of northern Italy. Amarone wines are made from dried Passito grapes using a drying process called appassimento. The result is a deep, dry, full-bodied red wine with an intense flavor. The name actually comes from the Italian word amaro, meaning “bitter.”
If you’re not a fan of bitter-tasting wines, you can opt for the Recioto della Valpolicella variety, which is a much sweeter red.
Notes: Black and red cherry, chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, plum.
How to pair it: This wine works well with game meat, like pheasant or venison, and other red meats, truffles, and mature Italian cheeses.
2. Barbaresco
Barbaresco wines are made using Nebbiolo grapes native to Piedmont. This red is considered one of the region's best-known wines, and for good reason. It’s quite a sweet yet spicy wine, with some fine tannins and a high acidity. Barbaresco is basically the more approachable and less intense version of Barolo wines, which are much more intense and robust.
Notes: Floral notes of violet and rose, cherry, licorice, fennel, and truffles.
How to pair it: Barbaresco wines pair well with robust pasta sauces such as duck ragù, mushrooms, truffles, mature cheeses, as well as meats like lamb and beef.
3. Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is incredibly popular worldwide and is often considered Italy’s most prestigious wine, with the country’s highest DOCG classification. It’s made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes grown in vineyards on the hills surrounding the Tuscan town of the same name, Montalcino.
This full-bodied red wine is quite strong, with high acidity and a high level of tannins, creating a very bold flavor. The boldness only intensifies with age.
Notes: Young Brunello has notes of red berry, licorice, and espresso. Older Brunello has dried fig, anise, hazelnut, chocolate, and leather notes.
How to pair it: Brunello pairs well with a range of Tuscan foods, like a meaty Ragù di Cinta Senese. It also complements game meat, rich sauces, and mature cheeses.
4. Chianti Classico
Nothing quite evokes the same reaction as a bottle of Chianti Classico, yet another iconic Italian wine native to Tuscany. It’s made from the same Sangiovese grapes (mostly) as the previous wine, but can have other red grape varieties, like the ones used for Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine has a deep ruby color, an intense, bold flavor, and refreshing acidity, which only increases with age.
Notes: Red fruit, dried herbs, balsamic vinegar, smoke, game, and violets.
How to pair it: Pair it with pork, rich porterhouse steak, boar, aged cheeses, like Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano Reggiano, and pizza.
5. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is another fabulous option made from a blend of multiple grape varieties – 70% Sangiovese and 30% from others, like Canaiolo or Cabernet Sauvignon. It also has to be made from grapes grown in vineyards around Montepulciano. The soft tannins in Vino Nobile give the wine a more rounded, silky texture and high acidity.
Notes: Red and black cherries, blood oranges, vanilla, plum, and strawberries.
How to pair it: Vino Nobile pairs amazingly with medium-aged game meats, like wild boar, earthier mushrooms, several types of pasta, and sharp cheeses, like Pecorino.
Italian White Wines
White wines are made from light-skinned grape varieties like Pinot Grigio, grown in Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli, or Trebbiano grapes found across the country. Unlike with reds, the grape skins are removed to keep the wine's color and flavor profile a bit lighter. Let’s take a look at the best white Italian wines to choose from.
6. Fiano di Avellino
If you head down to southern Italy in Campania, you’ll find Fiano di Avellino, one of the main wines that put the Avellino province on the map (in terms of wine, that is). It’s a medium-body white wine with an almost rich, waxy texture, a pale yellow-green hue, and a standout nuttiness and sweetness.
Notes: Orange blossom, spice, hazelnuts, and quince.
How to pair it: Fiano di Avellino pairs nicely with lighter dishes, like seafood and fish dishes, creamy chicken pasta, or mild-flavored cheese, like Mozzarella di Bufala.
7. Lugana
If you’re looking for things to do at Lake Garda, trying this next wine is an absolute must. Lugana is a beautiful white wine made from Trebbiano di Lugana grapes grown in vineyards just south of Lake Garda.
Lugana is considered a beginner-friendly wine and easy to drink, with a freshness and light, crisp acidity to it, making it perfect for a summer day. It also comes in a few different varieties, like Lugana Superiore and Lugana Riserva, all of which are incredible.
Notes: White flowers, green apple and citrus, stone fruits, almonds, and hazelnuts.
How to pair it: Seafood and freshwater fish complement the subtle flavors of Lugana, and the same goes for soft cheeses like Ricotta or Ribiola.
8. Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is pretty much the Italian version of France’s Pinot Gris, but there are some differences that make this one special. It’s made primarily in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy. This dry white wine is light and slightly acidic, with a more fruity aroma and taste.
Notes: Citrus notes, like lemon and lime, green apple, pear, and white peach.
How to pair it: Fine wines like Pinot Grigio are fantastic with fresh and light flavors. So, try it with fresh salads, light fish and seafood, chicken, or mild, creamy cheese.
9. Soave
Next up, we have another favorite among white, high-quality wines. Soave is another incredibly popular variety across the world, made with Garganega grapes grown on the hills just east of Verona. Its popularity is likely due to its distinct and unique flavor, with melon and orange at the forefront.
Soave can be described as dry and crisp wine with a predominantly fruity aroma and flavor that’s both complex and refreshing. It’s a definite must-add to your wine list.
Notes: White peach, honeydew melon, orange zest, marjoram, and a slight saltiness.
How to pair it: Try a glass of Soave with some seafood, such as mussels, squid, and scallops, or shellfish, light cheeses, and fresh salads with lots of herbs.
10. Verdicchio
Lastly, there’s Verdicchio, a wine that’s sometimes confused with Lugana, however, there are a few subtle differences to remember. They’re both made from similar grapes, but Lugana tends to favor floral notes, whereas citrus fruit is more pronounced in Verdicchio.
It’s also worth knowing that Verdicchio wines are produced in Matelica and Castelli di Jesi in the Marche region and may have slightly varied flavor profiles.
Notes: Citrus, like lime, lemon, grapefruit, green apple, pear, white flowers, herbs, and mineral notes.
How to pair it: Like other white wines, Verdicchio pairs nicely with white meat and fish, truffle dishes, tart desserts, and blue cheeses.
Italian Sparkling Wines
Sparkling Italian wine types, or spumante, can be made from red and white grape varieties, but all share the same bubbly characteristic. During sparkling wine production, there are two fermentations, the second of which traps excess carbon dioxide in the bottle, creating that fizzy texture. From more light and refreshing to sweeter varieties, here are the top ones to consider.
11. Franciacorta
Franciacorta is considered Italy’s version of Champagne and was made to resemble it as much as possible. Created in Lombardy, this sparkling white wine is made using the traditional method, “metodo classico.” That means that sugar and yeast are added to still wine before bottling, so that it gets that extra bubbly and fizzy texture.
In the end, the flavor notes in Franciacorta are much more complex when compared to other sparkling wines, like Prosecco (but we’ll get to that later).
Notes: Biscuit, brioche, yeast, citrus, almonds, dried figs, green apple, and peach.
How to pair it: This wine is versatile, so you can pair it with so many things, but to start, you can try soft cheeses, like brie, caramelized onions, dried fruits, or salted nuts.
12. Lambrusco
Lambrusco is an exceptional sparkling red wine, probably one of the most famous wines from Emilia-Romagna. It’s considered a pretty food-friendly wine because it goes well with many dishes, and that’s just one reason for its popularity.
It’s made from Lambrusco grapes, which are a nice and bright red and give it that beautiful color. There are a few different types of Lambrusco, ranging from dry and slightly bitter to more sweet. Either way, it’s going to be a tasty accompaniment to any meal.
Notes: Ripe red fruit, like cherries, raspberries, currants, and strawberries, with a hint of floral.
How to pair it: This fruity Italian wine complements roast meats and tart berry sauces, tart desserts, and rich pasta sauces. You also can’t go wrong with cured meats and salty cheeses, like Proscuitto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano.
DISCOVER: More food to pair with Lambrusco in What to Eat in Emilia-Romagna.
13. Moscato d'Asti
For a delicate and slightly sugary, light-sparkling wine with a strong fragrance, look no further than Moscato d’Asti. Coming from Piedmont, this type of sparkling Italian wine is a welcome treat that doesn’t have a high alcohol content but does have a slight acidity to it.
Moscato d’Asti is produced using Moscato Bianco (or Moscato di Canelli) grapes, which have been cultivated in the vineyards surrounding the town for centuries. This is certainly one of those fine wines you can’t really compare to anything else.
Notes: Slight floral aromas, with notes of peach, apricot, grape juice, and citrus.
How to pair it: Moscato is great with tart desserts, such as fruit tarts or plain sponge cakes. It also pairs well with salty foods, like cured meats, spicy dishes, and seafood.
14. Prosecco
If there’s one Italian wine on this list that everyone has heard of, it’s Prosecco. It comes from the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine regions and comes in a few varieties – Prosecco, Prosecco Frizzante, and Prosecco Spumante.
Prosecco is a light-bodied, sparkling white wine with a medium-high acidity and a very distinct fruity flavor that distinguishes it from the rest. There’s no exaggeration when we say it’s one of the best.
Notes: Green apple, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, pear, citrus, and subtle floral notes.
How to pair it: It depends on the level of sweetness, but generally speaking, Prosecco goes well with desserts or fatty and salty foods. Try Pecorino or Parmigiano, cured meats, shellfish, fatty fish, or any kind of pizza.
LISTEN: To our podcast Popping Corks in the Prosecco Hills.
Italian Fortified Wines
Fortified Italian wine varieties can range from sweet vermouth to a deep and rich Barolo Chinato. They’re made by adding distilled spirits during fermentation, creating a high alcohol and sugar content. This type of wine isn’t nearly as popular as red wine, but it’s still a delicious and complex drink that shouldn’t be overlooked. Let’s have a look at a few standouts.
15. Barolo Chinato
Barolo Chinato may be an acquired taste for some, but many people appreciate the complex combination of rich, spicy, slightly sweet, and bitter flavors. It was first created in Piedmont in the 1800s and slowly grew into what’s considered a pretty luxurious drink today.
This fortified, deep red wine is enriched with plenty of spices and aromatics that give it a distinct flavor, including calisaya bark, rhubarb, gentian root, and cardamom seeds. This type of drink isn’t for every palate, but it’s certainly worth a try.
Notes: Blood orange, spices, stewed raisins, buttery almonds, rhubarb, and very slight menthol notes.
How to pair it: Barolo Chinato is one of the few wines you can pair with chocolate, especially darker kinds. The same applies to any rich dessert or chocolate cake, which will just be enhanced by the bitterness of the wine.
16. Marsala
It would be a crime not to mention Marsala on Italy’s greatest wines list, so here it is. This is one of the most well-loved fortified wines in the entire world, produced exclusively in Sicily. It’s often called a cooking wine, as it adds the perfect complexity and nuttiness to different sauces. That said, there’s nothing wrong with having a glass on its own.
This dark red wine has five different variations based on how long it’s aged: Fine (a year), Superiore (two years), Superiore Riserva (four years), Vergine (five years), and Vergine Stravecchio (ten or more years). The flavor can range quite widely, from dry to very sweet, so it’s important to consider what works best for you.
Notes: Vanilla, brown sugar, dried fruits, nuts, leather, honey, tobacco, and mushroom.
How to pair it: Sweet Marsala pairs well with desserts, like cakes, tiramisu, dark chocolate, fruit pies, or biscuits. Dry or less sweet Marsala pairs best with saltier foods, such as nuts, olives, asparagus, spiced chicken, and smoked meat.
LISTEN: To our podcast for more on Magical Marsala – The Sweet Taste of Sicilian Wine.
17. Martini Rosso
Martini Rosso is a red Vermouth produced in a small town near Turin called Pessione. It’s used in countless cocktails, including the classic Negroni. It’s made using high-quality wines, including Trebbiano from Emilia-Romagna and Cataratto from Sicily, which are fortified with a mixture of spices, herbs, barks, and aromatics.
Martini Rosso is medium-bodied, bittersweet, and extremely complex, with over 40 different botanical combinations. There’s certainly no other drink on the market that quite resembles it.
Notes: Raspberry, lemon, caramel, tobacco leaf, espresso, cinnamon, licorice, anise, nutmeg, and dried herbs.
How to pair it: The creators themselves suggest pairing Martini Rosso with salty olives and almonds, cured meats like salami, and Pecorino cheese.
Final Word on the Best Italian Wines
From Campania in southern Italy to Veneto in the north, each of Italy’s wine regions is filled to the brim with scenery, culture, and – as you now know – phenomenal wines. And you don’t have to be a professional sommelier to enjoy them.
No matter which of these wine styles you prefer, from deep and intense reds like Brunello di Montalcino to light, sparkling wines like Lambrusco, there’s something to cater to every preference. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and explore the world of Italian wine!
Oh, and before you go, here are some guides on a few of Italy’s top wine-producing regions:
Our team of writers and creatives at Untold Italy are experts in keeping you informed and inspired about travel in Italy. Our team collaboration involves writers, photographers and editorial staff dedicated to sharing accurate Italy travel information.
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