Italian wine producers have successfully made a name for themselves through a large variety of wines that
offer varying flavours and aromas.
Italy sets its wines apart from the rest of the world with its great geographical location and grape variety.
The beautiful peninsula that many grapes are packed on is a great asset to the Italian wine-making
process.
With more than 2,000 Italian wines to choose from, there is no room for dissatisfaction. Aaron Bick,
co-founder of WineOnline.ca, says that Italy has a unique style in everything it does. He explains that wine
production for Italians is no different than their everyday lifestyle, as they put the same care into their
wine and their large variety allows everyone to have a favourite type of wine.
“Some people like wines that are big and robust and have a lot more weight to them,” says Bick. “Some people
like warm and spicy red wines, or the big and bold red wines, whereas I enjoy a soft and silky red. I do not
like the heavy mouth feeling.”
Italian wine dates back to when the Greeks settled in southern Italy and Sicily, and introduced wine-growing
into day-to-day life. Impressed by the mild climate, they decided it would be the perfect place to plant
vineyards. As Rome experienced a population boom in 300 BC, the demand for wine went up as well; everyone
drank wine, even those who were considered to not be wealthy. It became a staple of every meal and social
event. Now, in the present day, Italy is in the world’s top two wine-producing regions, along with
France.
Italians have created four main categories to classify their thousands of wines. Two of these categories are
table wines. Vino da Tavola (VDT) is described as basic wines for everyday consumption purposes, with no
specific geographical origin. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) are wines that do have a specific
geographical indication, but are still inexpensive to enjoy for dinner with dishes such as lasagna.
IGT wines have been called Super Tuscans since the 1970s. An IGT wine guarantees that 85 per cent of the
grapes used to produce the wine will be from an Italian region.
Sassicaia by Tenuta San Guido is one of the older Super Tuscan wines, created in the 1940s but not released
commercially until the ‘70s. This wine is made up of two grape varietals, 85 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and
15 per cent Cabernet Franc. A sweeter wine, it has a smoky aroma and works exceptionally well with a light
dessert.
VDTs and IGTs do not follow the strict wine regulations needed in order to be classified as a Quality Wine
Produced in Specified Regions (QWPSR). This was where the birth of DOC and DOCG came along.
DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, while DOCG means Denominazione di Origine Controllata e
Garantita (DOCG). DOC dates all the way back to 1963 and was created as a system for ensuring quality wines,
similar to France’s Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. DOCG was established later, in 1980, to distinguish the
more sophisticated and higher class of wines in Italy.
In general, the wines are divided into table wine and QWPRS Italian wines, then are further differentiated to
determine which wine goes with which food and event. Great table wines can be Bera Dolcetto d’Alba and Ca de
Medici Terra Calda Vino Frizzante Rosso. Those wines are inexpensive and carry great flavours.
Amid these multitudes of classifications and laws, Bick says that the most popular wines are in southern
Tuscany. The reason, he says, is that there is such a great value for what they provide in terms of flavour
and aromas. This is where Erik Banti and Poggio Foco wines, which are some of the top sellers in Italy, can
be found.
Bick explains that although the country is talented in planting many grape varietals, there is no doubt that
the domestic and homegrown vines are the greatest.
“Our best-selling wine of all time is organic,” says Bick. “Most of the wines in Italy are organic, whether
they choose to market them like that or not.”
These organic wines stay away from added sulfites and synthetic fertilizers. Casina di Cornia Chianti
Classico Riserva is a great example of a classic organic red wine in the $30 to $40 price range. They have
the same great taste and contain more antioxidants than wines that are not organic.
Although wine can be good for your health when consumed in moderation, it’s also great for celebrating. Two
of Italy’s leading celebratory wines are Barolo and Barbaresco, which happen to be among Bick’s personal
favourites.
“I like Barolos and Barberescos because they are more fine wines,” says Bick. “But the most wonderful thing
about Italian wine is that everyone can have a different favourite.”
With Italy mass-producing most of the world’s grape varietals, everyone can have a little taste of Italy at
home. •
