One of the first
things that comes to mind when I think of Italy is the wine. I know beautiful
wineries exist all over northern Italy, but I am interested to learn more about
the wine that is produced across the nation. Do different regions of Italy
produce different types of wine? Is there a particular wine that Italy is known
for producing? And, of course, there’s the infamous battle of white versus red.
Before I travel
abroad to Verona in May, I want to explore the answers to my questions so I
could be somewhat on top of what I know before ordering a glass of wine. To
start off, Italian winemaking dates all the way back to 2 BC by the Romans.
Italy is also ranked number five in the world for wine consumption. The various
regions of Italy provide the different wines that are produced. There are
several different factors that affect what type of wine is made. There is the
difference in climate from the Alps in the North to in-sight Africa in the
South, the length of Italy’s coastline, and the extensive mountains and valleys
that provide varying altitudes for grape growing, as well as different soil
conditions. One of the most common variations in winemaking is caused by using
different types of grapes.
Vino bianco (or white wine) is made from green
grapes. Vino rosso
(or red wine) is made from red grapes. Popular white wines are pinot grigio,
moscato, and Chardonnay. The popular red wines are Sagrantino, Cabernet
Sauvignon, and Merlot. Vino cotto,
literally meaning “cooked wine” is a type of red wine that is heated and
reduced before it is cooled and aged for a few years. This type of wine is
produced in the Marche, Abruzzo, and Calabria regions in Southern Italy, mostly
by private makers. Vino cotto
is sweet and does not have alcohol in it.
The difference
between which types of wine you choose to drink is entirely up to you. White
wine has a lighter, fruitier taste, since it is made from green grapes with no
skins or seeds. Red wine is made from dark red or black grapes and is fermented
with the skin or even the seeds sometimes. Red wine is also said to have heart
health benefits because of its high antioxidant count. The antioxidants
resveratrol and polyphenols work actively to support healthy bloods vessels and
blood pressure. Both wines are said to be beneficial to your health, as long as
you do not drinking it excessively.
The next time
you’re deciding on a glass of wine, remember that where you are might influence
what you will be drinking. Travel and exposure to the different regions of
Italy will definitely form your palate as to what you like for wine. Each
country produces its own wine, so there is a very large variety to try. If you
enjoy wine, then Italy is a great place to be. There you can have of the best glasses
in the world.
by Rachel Mays
