Trentino
Trentino can easily be lost in the shadow of wine regions in the North like Piemonte and Veneto. But it has quite a bit to offer – with sub-Alpine climate and warm days and cool nights in the summer, it produces lovely fresh whites and very interesting reds from Teroldego and Lagrein.
Emilia Romagna
Just to the south of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna is probably best known for the production of food with Lambrusco being the first wine coming to mind. However, the eastern part of the province produces some fantastic Sangiovese-based wines which offer a great alternative to Chianti and some surprisingly fresh whites made from rare indigenous grapes.
Le Marche
Sandwiched between Emilia-Romagna and Abruzzo to the south and wedged between the Apennines and the Adriatic, Le Marche harbours one of Italy’s best white grape varieties – Verdicchio. The Verdicchios from the town of Matelica are lively and multi-layered with distinct minerality.
Abruzzo
One of my favourite regions to visit to get away from it all and just a 2 hour drive across the Apennines from Rome. Best known for Montepulciano it is also a great region to make white wines and it has a reborn gem in the form of Pecorino which was brought back into production by Contesa Vini and Cataldi Madonna.
Sicily
Best known for Nero d’Avola, Sicily produces many more indigenous grapes with a variety of styles. If you want fresh and mineral look no further than Carricante (white) and Nerello Mascalese (red) from Mount Etna (check out Benanti wines on our site). You get zippy and mineral whites from Grillo and fuller broader whites made from Inzolia. Other reds include the juicy and fresh Frapatto or the fuller bodied and aromatic Perricone.
Whatever you choose or whatever the mood, Italy has you covered!
THE CASE FOR SIX – ITALY OFF THE BEATEN PATH €108.75
Nespoli Pagedebit di Romagna – Crisp, clean and mineral white from Emilia Romagna €13.95
Borgo Paglianetto Petrara Verdicchio di Matelica – A multi-layered delicious organic Verdicchio from Le Marche €18.95
Contesa Pecorino – Delicious and moreish with lime, stone fruit and mineral tones. €18.95
Nespoli Organic Sangiovese – An unoaked Sangiovese full of cherry and savoury notes. €13.95
Casata Monfort Teroldego Rotaliano – A rich and smooth red with dark fruit and spicy notes. €21.95
Valdibella Perricone – Organic, rich red with dark cherry, tobacco and Mediterranean herbs. €21.00