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ITALIAN DRINKS
Marche
Found on the eastern edge of Central Italy,Marche’s best-known wine
is Verdicchio, a dry white made from the “little green”grape of the same
name. Only a few of the wines produced here are sold in America.
Umbria
Bordering Tuscany and just above Rome, Umbria has two DOCG
wines: Torgiano Rosso Riserva and Montefalco Sagrantino.
Torgiano is mostly produced with Sangiovese grapes. The highly
tannic Montefalco is made with 100 percent Sagrantino grapes.
Latium
If you’re in the Latium region, which once gave birth to the Roman
Empire, you’re probably more interested in seeing the Pope than
drinking wine. Still, why limit yourself? Locals have been cultivating
grapes here for millennia, and the most celebrated wine in Latium
is Frascati Superiore, a white wine.
Campania
Choices from the up-and-coming wine region of Campania are
getting better by the day. Falanghina, Fianco and Greco di Tufo are
the most popular whites, but Campania’s most important variety is
arguably Aglianico, a red grape used to make Taurasi and Aglianico.
Basilicata
There are four DOC appellations in Basilicata, the most fertile of
which is the Vulture area. Aglianico del Vulture — a red wine based
on the Aglianico grape — is produced here, and Aglianico del Vulture
Superiore has been recently promoted to the lofty level of DOCG.
Southern Regions
Calabria
The toe of Italy’s boot, Calabria is an emerging wine region, with
whites made mostly from Greco Bianco, a grape widely found in
Southern Italy. Other wines are produced from the Gaglioppo
grape, a variety best known for producing soft, rounded reds. Both
grapes are of Greek origin.
Apulia
In Italy’s heel, Apulia has four DOCGs and 29 DOCs — more
than any other region in the south. Its best-known wines are
Primitivo di Manduria, a DOC made from Primitivo grapes, and
Salice Salentino, which is produced with Negroamaro, a red grape
local to the area since at least the sixth century B.C.
Sicily
Italy’s largest island has perfect conditions for growing wine, and
hosts more vineyards than any other region in Italy. Sicily produces
enormous amounts of wine, most of it white.There are many DOC
areas in Sicily, but only one DOCG: Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which
produces a red made with the island’s Nero d’Avola and Frappato
grapes.
Our Sommelier suggests Zisola Nero d’Avola.
Sardinia
This island off the west coast of mainland Italy is home to Sella &
Mosca,whichisamongItaly’smostoutstandingwineestates.Sardinia’s
best whites are made with Vermentino, a light-skinned grape. The
most celebrated of the Vermentino whites is Vermentino di Gallura,
a DOCG. Its best reds are produced with Cannonau — the local
name for the Grenache grape. Other important Sardinian grapes are
Carignano, Bovale Sardo and Monica.
Our Sommelier suggests Sella &
Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva.