Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Il vino italiano




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

4 comments:

  1. An interesting subject, but definitely a relevant one- I mean after all, the most famous wines are usually Italian (or French), right? And, I think you brought up a good point, that different regions make different types of wine, and you explained which ones come from where. I know that's true with France, for example Burgundy wine comes from the province of Burgundy. I also like that you explained the different between red and white wine, and the "vino cotto."

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  2. Perhaps one of the reasons I am so fond of Europe - Italy and France in particular - is the respect and taste in alcohol. I wish the United States could grow a culture that incorporated wine into the everyday diet, and allowed parents to decide what is appropriate for their children. As you mentioned, when wine is not abused, it has amazing health benefits, which is why wine is consumed daily in some European countries. Like you, I would also like to develop a palette for wine before studying abroad, and the health benefits would not go amiss either.

    -Jillian Cormier

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  3. a dont know much about wine, maybe only that it is made from grapes. after this post i learned a lot more. it even goes to show that a glass a day is good for your heart. Italy is a place full of wonders but wine is one of its foundations so its cool that your first article was on il vino. :)

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  4. I can't wait to try all different types of wine when we are in Italy!! Only 16 more days until we leave!

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