Wines of Italy: classification, categories, names

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Italy is one of the countries that produces a huge amount of wine. According to the production rating of this alcoholic beverage, it ranks second in the world. Italy sometimes surpasses the world leader - France. This country, according to an ancient tradition, collects alcoholic beverages and stores them in its wine cellars. Winemaking in Italy flourishes due to the climate and the quality of products. Over the past decades, Italy has increased its wine exports abroad dozens of times.

The favorable climate has a positive effect on the production of an incredible amount of wine product. Italian wines have hundreds of names. This country produces both cheap and expensive wine. Grapes are grown in almost all parts of the country; there are about 255 varieties of grapes. Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Pinot, Grillo Nebbiolo are some of the most popular varieties. Most famous among amateursstrong drinks Italian red wines. They differ in a wide variety in comparison with other wine drinks. Produced from different varieties and characterized by all sorts of bouquets.

White varieties contain herbal notes, they also have a unique taste. This drink is preferred to be served with fish or other fish dishes. The white product is the second largest in the world.

Legend of wine

There is a legend that the god Bacchus, upon arrival in the eastern lands, noticed a plant on the island of Naxos. He decided to bring it home, so he took one sprout with him. For some unknown but surprising reason, the sprout began to grow in Bacchus' hands. Seeing this, he placed it in a bird bone. And then, when the grape began to grow, he transplanted it into a lion's bone. And when the tree grew, the turn of the donkey bone came. After that, he harvested and made an intoxicating drink from the juice. Wine allegedly influenced a person in an interesting way. At first he sang like a bird, then he became strong like a lion, but eventually turned into a donkey.

According to some sources, wine has been produced for more than six thousand years BC. This drink has a rich history, it was mentioned in ancient legends and ancient stories. Wine comes from the word Vena and is translated into Russian as "beloved".

As the ancient Egyptian myth says, once the sun god Ra presented wine as a gift to the long-suffering Earth. It was assumed that this was done to protect against the wrath of the goddess Hathor. According to mythology, wine was capable ofresurrect people.

Another myth is evidenced by sources from ancient Greece. It tells about a sheep that left the flock and ate the strange berries of an unknown plant. The shepherd noticed this and decided to pick them up for his master Oinis. After tasting, Oinis realized that he was slightly drunk from the berry juice. Then he presented an unusual drink as a gift to Dionysus.

Thus, Dionysus became the god of wine. A whole holiday was created in his honor. At this event, Dionysus could afford anything. He managed to break the class barrier between people.

Wine from the past

The traditions of winemaking were brought to the Apennine Peninsula by the Greeks, even before the unification of the Roman tribes into a large empire. Then the Roman Empire conquered Greece, taking over all the wine-making traditions. This was the beginning of the wine age. The lands of Italy had many rulers. And each of them competed with others in the quality of wine production.

In Italy, the famous original drink is produced by certain categories of entrepreneurs who own small land plots of no more than one hectare. Therefore, the country, which has more than ten thousand such possessions, is in second place in the production of good quality wine.

Variety of grape varieties

Merlot is a variety that gives the wine richness and deep red color, similar to pomegranate. The main flavor notes are cherry, plum, chocolate.

Cabernet Franc is a black grape variety used to make a classic wine. Aromas of herbs, fruits, violets and berries predominate.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine variety with an exquisite aroma of pepper and various spices. All wines made from this variety are different. It depends on the producing region of the country. This variety makes good Italian wine.

In 1963, laws were created in Italy that helped increase the production of wine products and improve its quality. The same rules were introduced in France. Thus, Italy began to differ not only in quantity, but also in the quality of wine production.

Italian wine is divided into four categories, it doesn't matter. This division was approved by the legislation. Below is the classification. Italian wines are excellent in taste.

Vino da Tavola

Vino da Tavola is one of the categories of homemade table and cheap wine. Produced in inexpensive packages, usually they were paper cups or bags. Served in restaurants and in ordinary cheap establishments. Belonged to the class of draft. Since 1996, these products have been bottled, indicating the brand of the manufacturer and the color of the wine. It began to be sold in private shops and restaurants as a local brand.

DOC

Wine DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is the next category. The translation of this name is "appellation control by place of origin". This includes more expensive wines. They are made from selected grape varieties. Tothe wine has earned its respect for this category, it is tested at various prestigious tastings. If this product is approved, and it exceeds its qualities in taste, then the product falls into the next DOCG class. DOC wines are light and slightly carbonated.

DOCG

DOCG wine, what is it? It stands for control and guarantee of the appellation of origin. One of the classifications of Italian wines. It belongs to the category of expensive products. This category has earned pride of place among other wines. It is considered an elite, closed classification of Italian wines. In 1996, the number of species did not exceed 14. On today their number has increased to 35. Now you know that DOCG is wine for the elite.

These drinks undergo rigorous government testing. After the tasting, they are numbered, each bottle has its own personal number. Numbering has two colors. For red wines - pink, for whites - green.

IGT

IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) translated into Russian as “a typical geographical name”, more precisely, a local wine made from original grape varieties. If you look, these are the same table wines. But among cheap table wine, prestigious ones can also be caught. Control over this type of product is not thorough, but still exists. This is a category of democratic wine. It does not refer to any manufacturer brand. Production does not have special technologies and varieties. Production is carried out exclusively on request. Wine category IGT Italy occupies 20% of the total production of wine. This is due to its recent appearance onmarkets of the country.

Italian wine brands

What are they?

1. Bardolino (Bardolino). Dry red wine that goes well with various side dishes such as: poultry, pasta with sauce, pork, veal. The price of the product is between 3 and 5 euros per bottle.
2. Barolo. Royal wine, the most famous. It is aged in oak barrels for 3 years or more. The price of the product depends on the number of years spent in barrels, that is, the longer, the more expensive. From 50 to 200 euros per bottle. Great for meat and cheese.
3. Chianti. Red famous wine. Produced in Florence. Served with caviar and roast. There are seven regions where Chianti is produced, each making it differently. The price per bottle is between 10 and 50 euros. Ideal for caviar and meat.
4. Chardonnay. White wine is produced in Friuli Trentino. Has a special taste. Very famous in the world market. Served with fish products.
5. Frascati (Frascati). Dry white wine from southern Italy. Good for quenching thirst in hot weather.
6. Barbaresco (Barbaresco). The product has a coffee color. Wild berries and plums make its taste unique. It is almost impossible to buy such wine in stores. It is produced at home and at will.

Conclusion

So we learned about the wines of Italy, classification, features. Each product and its taste meet its requirements and quality. This country knows how to make wine. To taste a good Italian drink,you need to spend a significant amount of money on it.

Italian products have always been valued and appreciated in the world market. If you haven't tried a good Italian wine made with soul yet, then you are ahead.