Everyone loves Italian food and with lockdown in full force pasta is very much on the menu. But my Italian favourites come in a different form – the wines!
The range of Italian wine available is vast and each region has its own grapes and style. This combined with the complex quality system can be intimidating. There is a lot to learn and I found the Italian section the hardest when I did my WSET exams.
It’s easy to stick to the same choices – everyone knows pinot grigio – but to help you get out of that rut, here’s a short guide to some new and interesting Italian wines to try.
But first, a word on quality…
Italy has a robust and important quality system to ensure standards are met. The key words to look out for are ‘Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita’ (DOCG); ‘Denominazione di Origine Controllata’ (DOC) and Indicazione Geographica Tipica (IGT).
The DOCG and DOC wines are easy to spot as they have a special label on the neck of the bottle – this tells you that the wine will be good quality and you can buy with confidence.
Where to start?
Because of the typically high acidity in both whites and reds, the good news is that Italian wines are very food friendly. With such variety there is something to suit every taste, budget and food match. Below are some of my favourites for ‘every day’.
Great on its own
Verdicchio is great for drinks with friends and there many options available. A favourite is the Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi (DOC) which comes from east coast of central Italy. It is light and refreshing – think lemons and minerals – and great on its own or with shellfish.
The Sainsbury’s taste the difference Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi (£7.00, Sainsbury’s) is a good example and great value for money.
A richer white
For a seafood pasta dish or grilled fish then a richer white works well. Choose from the south of Italy – Campania or Sicily for something with plenty of character.
Greco di Tufo (DOCG) is a white wine with enough body and character to work with food – exotic fruits, herbs and spices – and its acidity will refresh your palate as well. A good example is the Tre Fiori Greco di Tufo (£10.99, Waitrose).
Great with pasta
Tuscan wines are wonderful and include Chianti Classico (DOCG) – historically famous for the ratafia bottles. But for something a bit different, try the neighbouring Chianti Rufina (DOCG).
One of the best is the Nipozzano (£17.00 Morrisons) – red fruits, sour cherries with spices and toast – it’s a bit of a treat for everyday but worth the money.
A bit of luxury
For something richer – maybe a steak, a rich ragu or stew then it has to be a Valpolicella from the north east of Italy. The mid-week version would be a Classico (DOC) or Ripasso (DOC) which has flavours of red fruits – cherries, plums and redcurrant – and plenty of acidity to cut through the richness of your dish. A good option is The Society’s Valpolicella Ripasso (£10.50, The Wine Society).
A real treat means an upgrade to an Amarone di Valpolicella (DOC). Made with a portion of dried grapes, it has flavours of chocolate, dark rum and leather – a rich and indulgent wine. If you’re going to push the boat out, then try the Torre D’Orti Amarone, Valpolicella (£33.98, Champion Wines).
All prices correct at time of writing.
About
Jo is an independent wine enthusiast, who is qualified as WSET Level 3 (with distinction). She is passionate about wine and enjoys sharing her advice through her blogs. Jo is also a keen photographer and loves taking the photos of wine almost as much as tasting the wine! Read more on My Story.
