All About The Grapes

Alicante
A present to southern Italy from Spain.
https://italianwinecentral.com/variety/alicante/

Aglianico
Aglianico del Vulture comes from the extinct Vulture volcano area of central Basilicata while Aglianico del Taburno sources from the Campagna provinces west of Naples near to the extinct Mt. Vesuvius volcano. Aglianico is a great accompaniment to veal and lamb alla griglia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglianico

Barbera
A mid-bodied and flavorful red wine from Lombardy and Piemonte. A beautiful accompaniment to light red sauces and grilled vegetables. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbera

Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the classic varietals… full-bodied and will accompany red meats, vegetables, and pasta/rice. It is enhanced with proper treatment in oak barrels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabernet_Sauvignon

Cagnulari 
A very special, full-bodied Sardinian wine that is grown almost exclusively in the Province of Sassari in the far northwest part of the island where the soils are limestone and clay.
http://www.drinkitalian.eu/cagnulari/

Cannonau
It is grown on the diagonally opposite southeast end of Sardinia from the home of Cagnulari. It is also full-bodied from offers aromas and flavors of raspberry and strawberry.
https://www.mamablip.com/en/blog/cannonau-grapes

Ciliegiolo
An indigenous red grape from Tuscany…mid-bodied and round. A lovely everyday red. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciliegiolo

Corinto Nero
Found most often in southern Italy … an ancient wine brought by the Greeks, it is light ruby red with an intense, fruity nose… hints of plum, spice, and black pepper.
https://www.italyabroad.com/grapes/corinto-nero

Frappato
From the semi-arid zone of southeastern Sicily near Vittorio, it is a fragrant, light, translucent wine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frappato

Grignolino
A fruity wine that provides color and flavor but due to its many seeds, provides tannins as well.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grignolino
https://blog.musement.com/us/a-grignolino-revolution/

Merlot
Another of the great red varietals grown in many of the world’s finest wine regions. Mid-bodied, balanced, with a pleasant fruit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlot

Montepulciano
The full-bodied of full-bodied red wines. Growers in Abruzzi claim it as their oldest son. Immediately north in the south of Marche, it is used for Offida Rosso DOCG (with Cabernet Sauvignon) and Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC (with Sangiovese). A sun-soaked grape that adorns your favorite red tomato sauces and the meat goodies that go with it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montepulciano_(grape)

Nero d’Avola
One of the great grapes of southern Italy, but particularly the lighter versions that have become so appreciated on Sicily.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero_d’Avola

Nerello Mascalese
This is a Sicilian specialty…a grape that graces the slopes of Mt. Etna where some of the most exciting new wine-making is found in Italy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerello

Piedirosso
The staple red of Campagna … it is the everyday grape for accompaniment to meats and the renown San Marzano grapes … the ‘local Sangiovese’, if you will.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedirosso

Pinot Nero
The Italian version of Pinot Noir … for those who enjoy light, fragrant red wines. The translucence depends on the locale and the wine-maker.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinot_noir

Sangiovese
What is life without Sangiovese? The crown jewel of Italian grapes…the most grown grape…one that shifts shape, style, aroma, and taste from the renown Brunello di Montalcino to the Chianti Classico.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangiovese

Syrah
Growers in the Lake Trasimeno area northwest of Perugia herald their terroir as the new home of Italian-grown Syrah. They believe that this hilly terroir surrounding  lakes and adjacent immediately to Tuscany, holds great promise. That’s directly from the folks at Madrevite vineyard.

Aglianico del Vulture DOC (Basilicata)
Aglianico del Vulture DOCG Riserva Superiore (Basilicata)
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG (Campagna)
The black grape of the south. It grows in at least three regions and there are multiple appellations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglianico_del_Vulture

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (Tuscany)
This is one of the top three appellations in all of Italy. To be stored, saved, and savored.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunello_di_Montalcino

Cannonau di Sardegna DOC (Sardinia)
A distinctive full-bodies red wine. You may know the grape as the Grenache. Thought to have arrived to Sardinia in the 14th century when the Araganose arrived from Spain and took control of the island. It comes in seven different styles.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-cannonau+di+sardegna

Gamay del Trasimeno DOC (Umbria)
We give full credit to this lovely red wine to our good friend, Nicola Chiucchiurlotto of Madrevite vineyard in the hills west of Lago di Trasimeno. He and his family have made its propagation their lives’ work.
https://gamaydeltrasimeno.com/en/trasimeno-gamay-who-i-am/

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC (Lombardy)
An indigenous grape to the Piemonte region that works alongside the more well-known Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-grignolino+del+monferrato+casalese

Etna Rosso DOC (Sicily)
This is a terroir growing in popularity. Wines grown in volcanic soils at higher elevations using the local Nerello Mascalese grape.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/03/dining/wine-school-assignment-etna-rosso.html

Etna Rosato DOC (Sicily)
A lovely rosato that often has beautiful ripe fruit essences such as peach. The Nerello Mascalese dominates but can be blended with up to 20% Nerello Cappucchio.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/sicilia-en-gb/etna-doc-en-gb/etna-rosato-doc-en-gb/

Montescudaio Sangiovese DOCG (Tuscany)
This is a smaller appellation within Tuscany where the Sangiovese grape is grown.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/toscany-en-gb/montescudaio-doc-en-gb/montescudaio-sangiovese-doc-en-gb/

Montescudaio Merlot DOC (Tuscany)
A very pleasant version of the classic Merlot grape from Tuscany. It also comes in a Riserva.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/toscany-en-gb/montescudaio-doc-en-gb/montescudaio-merlot-doc-en-gb/

Offida Rosso DOCG (Marche)
Pardon the hometown bias, but I love this blend. The Montepulciano can blend with up to a maximum of 15% of another red. My preference is with Cabernet Sauvignon. After at least 12 months in oak, it is my red meat wine preference.
http://www.offidarosso.it/en/

Romagna Sangiovese DOC (Emiglia-Romagna)
Romagna Sangiovese Riserva Bertinoro DOC (Emiglia-Romagna)
The Romagnese lay claim to their own touch on Sangiovese style. Since their region is considered the food capital of Italy, we’ll respect that. ☺
https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/romagna-doc/

Rosso di Montalcino DOCG (Lombardy)
For you Brunello lovers, this is the ‘baby Bru’. Same beautiful Sangiovese from the Montalcino appellation but without the five years of aging. A lovely and less pricey treat.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-rosso+di+montalcino

Rosso Piceno DOC (Marche)
The staple red wine of the southern Marche region blended with Sangiovese and Montepulciano.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/marche-en-GB/rosso-piceno-doc-en-gb/rosso-piceno-en-gb/

Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC (Marche)
This is the more refined first cousin that sources from 14 towns in the southernmost part of Marche between the provincial capital of Ascoli Piceno and the coastal city of San Benedetto del Tronto. It is oaked for a minimum of one year.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/marche-en-GB/rosso-piceno-doc-en-gb/rosso-piceno-superiore-doc-en-gb/

Vittorio Frapatto DOC (Sicily)
A light, fragrant red wine made from the Frapatto grape in the southeastern part of Sicily where the sands are quite sandy. Lovely summer appertif red.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/sicilia-en-gb/vittoria-doc-en-gb/vittoria-frappato-doc-en-gb/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frappato

Albana Secco
A structured, full-bodied white that embellishes a wide range of foods from tastier fish to poultry and pork dishes.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-690-albana

Falanghina
The wine for all of your seafood favorites … working also with vegetables in combination with extra virgin olive oil and lemons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falanghina

Greco
Another delicious, citrus-noted white from Campagna which serves as a capable partner to the Falanghina.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco_(grape)

Grechetto
A thick-skinned, late harvested grape that blends beautifully with other Umbrian whites such as Malvasia and Trebbiano Spoletino.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grechetto

Caprettone
The grape is noted for its ability to moderate the acidity level through blending with other white wines from southern Italy and is grown in the provinces immediately surrounding the Mt. Vesuvius volcano west of Napoli.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caprettone

Carricante
Grown at higher altitudes around Mt. Etna in Sicily, it is a fresh wine of high acidity that hints of fresh straw and floral citirus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carricante

Malvasia delle Lipari
Alone or blended, it provides a lovely golden hue and a delicate scent with notes of honey and ripe apricot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvasia#Italian_varieties

Moscato Bianco
Like other Moscato grapes … one of the most grown varietal in Italy … it is valued for its aromatic assistance. It preserves the scent even after vinification to provide hints of flowers and fruit.
https://www.italianowine.com/en/varieties/moscato-bianco/

Passerina
Known affectionately by inhabitants as the Queen of the Marche, Passerina wine is a refreshingly fresh pour for the warm weather months, the renown delicate Adriatic seafood, or as a year-round aperitif. Apricot, peach, pear, citrus hints … she is lovely.
https://winedharma.com/en/vine/all-you-need-to-know-about-passerina-the-wine-the-grape-variety-and-the-characteristics-of-the-queen-of-the-marche/

Pecorino
My cousins appreciatively refer to the Pecorino as “the red wine in a white dress”. In fact, in Delaware, we have had Pecorino-only wine tastings just to baffle our customers by revealing to them the great variation in Pecorino wine-making styles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecorino_(grape)

Trebbiano Spoletino
Trebbiano abounds up and down the Italian archipelago and is generally know. for its blending capability. BUT, the Trebbiano Spoletino is indigenous to Umbria and there you will find a distinctively crisp appellation.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-2199-trebbiano-spoletino

Verdicchio
Minerality and crispness characterize the Verdicchio…which is heralded among the very best of Italian wines to accompany seafood. There’s a noteworthy difference between the two appellations of Jesi and Matelica.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdicchio

Falerio DOC (Marche)
Falerio is an officially-recognized blend that allows the Pecorino, Passerina, and Trebbiano grapes to combine or, it also can be 100% Pecorino. It’s a great fish wine.
https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/falerio-doc/

Offida Passerina DOCG (Marche)
This is a fresh, fragrant white that serves white wine lovers well in the warmer months of the year but always as an aperitif or with light fish.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/marche-en-GB/offida-docg/offida-passerina-docg-en-gb/

Offida Pecorino DOCG (Marche)
The white wine in the red dress, as the Ripani people call it. But the Pecorino grape presents from light and cleanly acidic to full-bodied. It depends on the winemaker.
https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/marche-en-GB/offida-docg/offida-pecorino-docg/

Romagna Albana Secco DOCG (Marche)
A unique full-bodied white…a style that is quite unfamiliar to American wine drinkers. It fits the pallet when eating stronger-tasting fish and grilled meat, particularly pork.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-690-albana

Verdicchio di Matelica DOC (Marche)
The Matelica version of the Verdicchio grape delivers the minerality and freshness from the waters flowing through the clay soils of the Appenine foothills. Perfect for seafood.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-verdicchio+di+matelica

Vermentino di Sardegna DOC (Sardinia)
A seafood-lover’s white wine … fresh, clean and citrus-tasting…from the northwestern regions along the Ligurian sea coast.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-vermentino+di+sardegna