Book Italian winery experiences & wine tours
Italy has one of the world's oldest viticulture and wine-making traditions, with origins dating back to before 800 BC when the Mycenaean Greeks brought the art to the people of Sicily. Along with France and Spain, it is one of the world's largest wine-producing countries.
Wines from Italy's 20 wine regions (and over 400 appellations) are exported worldwide and are famous far beyond national borders. Most of the wines are produced from Italian native grape types. There are 350 grape varieties grown in the Italian wine regions, of which 330 are indigenous to Italy and have aromas that are influenced by climate and landscape. Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, and Pinot Grigio are the most well-known Italian grapes.
Italy is divided into 20 administrative regions, each of which produces wine in some capacity and contains several wine regions. Generally, high-quality table wines are produced in three key regions: Veneto, Tuscany, and Piedmont.
Tuscany is recognized for its generic Chianti, but serious wine connoisseurs prefer Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as Chianti Classico. Similarly, Veneto's vast production of Prosecco, Soave, and varietal Pinot Grigio does little to enhance the region's reputation as a good wine region, despite producing Amarone della Valpolicella, one of the world's richest and finest wines.
The classification system for Italian wine was established by the Italian government in 1963. The legislation has been changed and several amendments have been made, resulting in the creation of four basic groups: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), DOC ( Denominazione di Origine Controllata), IGT - Indicazione di Geografica Tipica and VdT - Vino Da Tavola.
Italy is frequently associated with high standards of living. Their culinary and wine heritage's richness, variety, strong territorial origins, and history are distinguishing features that are rapidly attracting the attention of travellers, both Italian and foreign.
Tourists can easily taste the wines of Italy along any of the 140 "wine roads" that traverse the country's most famous wine regions, complementing the country's famous cuisines and abundance of scenic landscapes.
Use our itinerary planner to help plan, create, and book the ultimate wine tourism experience. You can choose to self-drive or pick a guided boutique wine tour with a local insider who's knowledge will enhance your regional experience.
