Understanding the World of Italian Wine
Wine is a drink that is suitable for every celebration or pairs perfectly with your alone time. From deep dark notes of fruity goodness to sparkly freshness, there is a wine for every taste. And there is even a label for anyone in every price range.
While the history of wine goes back to the time when Greeks became obsessed with it, Italy also has its say in its origin. If you didn’t know, Italy is famous for many things – its scenic beauty, food, culture, and among the enthusiasts, for wines. The geographical position and climate are just perfect for the vineyards to grow and produce to their utmost potential.
Tuscany is where the most famous vineyards are located for its climate to grow both red, black, and white grapes. Add to that the centuries-long expertise and tradition of wine production, and you would know why something like the Sassicaia wine price is so expensive and still worth it. But let’s bust the Italian wine jargon first!
Wine Labels and Their Basics
There are a few terms for Italian wines denoting which category the wine is, where it is from and which vineyard it’s produced. The local Italian appellations also use some terminologies to classify a particular wine. These are:
- DOCG: One of the finest classification of Italian wine is DOCG that stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. Strict rules from where the grapes can be grown to which varieties are allowed are closely inspected.
- DOC: Sitting just below DOCG is DOC – an abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. One step below DOCG. Here, the production regulations aren’t applied too strictly.
- IGT: The unorthodox method of Super Tuscan wine finally received official recognition in 1992. They are referred to as IGT Toscana, where IGT stands for Indicazione Geografica Tipica.
- Riserva: If a particular Italian wine is left to age significantly longer than the usual practices, it is classified as Riserva. However, it is important to note that the rules for this denomination can be quite varied.
- Superiore: Often tagged to the regional names, Superiore is what the name suggests – a superior quality of Italian wine.
- Azienda Agricola: If you come across an Italian wine that was brewed with grapes produced right in its estates, it is given an Azienda Agricola label.
The Great Italian Wine Regions
Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Sicily are some of the places where the best Italian wines come from. These places have different kinds of wine which also has its variables in production. This is an excellent guide to Amarone and Valpolicella wines.
But Tuscany is where the vineyards grow in abundance. It is also where the Super Tuscan wine revolution happened, offering wine collectors the finest, signature variants like Sassicaia Wine. As a beginner, you may find Sassicaia wine price to be overly expensive, but it really is a small price to pay when you take into consideration the unique methods, taste, and exceptional value.
That’s it! It’s time to taste some fine Italian wines, Tuscany or not!
