Why Italy matters
Italy trades the title of world's largest wine producer with France year to year — but its real glory is diversity. Wine is made in all 20 of its regions, from the Alps to Sicily.
- Italy grows hundreds of native grapes found almost nowhere else — a living museum of varieties.
- Wine here is a food wine tradition: high acidity and savoury flavours built for the table.
- Styles run the full range — featherweight Prosecco to brooding Barolo.
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Key idea: indigenous grapes
Where France exported its grapes worldwide, Italy kept its own. Learning Italy means learning names like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Corvina.