Italy offers such an unparalleled diversity of wine styles, but we still manage to fall in with old favourites and only scratch the surface of what the winemaking country has to offer. If you fancy trying something new, take a look at our most popular Italian wine styles below, alongside what to try if you want to try something new.
If you like pinot grigio, try vermentino
Pinot grigio lovers are drawn to the grape because it produces easy-drinking, refreshing wines, with bright citrus and stone-fruit notes. Vermentino is a grape that can produce similar wines, and is widely planted on Sardinia and Sicily in the south of Italy. Despite the hot climes, the best vermentino retains a freshness, like this Sicilian example from the Mandrarossa co-operative. Alovini. A wine imbued with invigorating peach and lemon, made without the use of oak.
Vermentino Sicilia, Mandrarossa 2023
If you like Chianti, try Brunello
Chianti is royalty when it comes to iconic Italian wines. The Tuscan wine is predominantly made from the sangiovese grape, producing oak-aged, hearty wines with firm tannins. But if you’re looking to try something a little different for a special occasion, Brunello di Montalcino could be the answer. Also from the wine region of Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine similarly known for extensive oak ageing, which bolsters strong flavours and structured tannins. It’s also 100% sangiovese, balancing bright notes of cherry with earthy leathery nuances.
If you like Prosecco, try Franciacorta
The UK is the world’s biggest consumer of Prosecco outside of Italy – and it’s little surprise, given just how many people love it. But if you want to stray a little from the tried-and-tested favourites, then Franciacorta could be the ticket. Produced in the adjoining winemaking region of Lombardy, Franciacorta is mostly made from chardonnay, with some pinot nero and pinot bianco in the mix. The key difference from Prosecco, however, is that Franciacorta is made sparkling using the ‘traditional method’ (the same as Champagne), made with a second fermentation taking place in the bottle. This gives the wine delicious, opulent notes of exotic fruit and biscuit.
Franciacorta Brut, Ferghettina NV
If you like Valpolicella, try Amarone
Located in the Veneto region of north-east Italy, Valpolicella is a winemaking region that produces a wide range of styles. At the bright, fruit-forward end, classic Valpolicella is fresh, lively, with mouthwatering sour cherry flavours. These wines are mostly made from corvina, corvinone and rondinella. However, if you want to kick things up a notch, you can go for Amarone della Valpolicella – a wine made by drying out a portion of these grapes, but then letting them fully ferment in the wine. This results in an opulent, full-bodied red with coffee and dark berry notes – it tastes great with ragù.
The Society's 150th Anniversary Amarone 2018
If you like nebbiolo, try barbera
Fans of the Italian reds of the north-west love them for their ethereal, aromatic and complex quality, particularly wines made from the nebbiolo grape such as Barolo and Barbaresco. But as their prices increase, they’re not exactly everyday drinking. Enter Barbera d’Asti, a wine also made in north-west Italy, but often at a fraction of the price. This is an intense yet beguiling example made especially for The Society. It’s perfect with tomato-based dishes and porcini mushrooms.
If you like primitivo, try aglianico
For the fans of a knock-your-socks-off red, primitivo is the best Italian option. It’s the inky, bold, flavourful wine from the heel of Italy, favoured by wine lovers who love big rustic reds. For an under-the-radar alternative that doesn’t pull any punches, look to aglianico. It’s a red grape most commonly found in Campania, an ancient variety with vines more than a century old. This wine contains a bright line of freshness, with the intensity of bramble fruit and wood spice following 18 months in large casks.
Aglianico del Vulture, Calice Donato D'Angelo 2020
There’s so much to explore in Italy, with new wines and grape varieties to try. We hope this article has inspired you to venture outside your comfort zone and try something new. If you want to know anything about Italian wine, including something new to try, our knowledgeable team of Wine Specialists is on hand to help. You can also explore our Ultimate Guide To Italy, written by buyer Sarah Knowles MW.
