Understanding the Different Kinds of Italian Red Wine

What is Sangiovese?

Sangiovese is one of my favourite reds from Italy, as it is the most widely planted grape variety in the country. Wineries make great wines with this grape – for example, Brunello di Montalcino. Chianti and Vino Noble di Montepulciano are other great examples of Sangiovese. Typically, Sangiovese has a medium to high body, high tannins, high acidity and beautiful flavours like tart cherry, red plum, leather, tobacco, dried roses.
Flavours: Tart cherry, red plum, leather, tobacco, dried roses

What is Nebbiolo?

Nebbiolo is the grape behind top-quality red wines from Piedmont (northwestern Italy), the most notable being Barolo and Barbaresco. Nebbiolo wines are distinguished by their strong tannins, high acidity and distinctive scent – often described as “tar and roses.” A less obvious characteristic, visible only over time, is their tendency to lose colour. Within just a few years of vintage, most Nebbiolo wines begin fading from deep, violet-tinged ruby to a beautiful brick orange.

Nebbiolo has medium fruit, high body, high tannins and high acidity.

Flavours: Anise, clay pot, leather, cherry, rose

What is Barbera?

Barbera is formally known as “the little brother” of Barolo, as it is often a more affordable wine that is easier to drink. Somehow, Barbera wines taste both rich and light-bodied. Why is that? One reason is that it has dark staining pigments that dye the wine to near-black. However, Barbera also has notes of strawberry and sour cherry flavours synonymous with lighter-bodied wines. Light tannins and high acidity also make it taste “juicy.”

Flavours: Dark cherry, dried strawberry, lavender, dried leaves, vanilla

What is Lambrusco?

Lambrusco is a brightly coloured grape variety used to make sparkling red wines in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. It is a collective term for a group of grape varieties (like Muscat) – more than 60 Lambrusco varieties have been identified so far. The popularity of Lambrusco grew so rapidly in the 1980s that it was the only way of producing the required volumes quickly enough to satisfy demand and cheaply enough to keep the wines affordable. Most wines made with Lambrusco are made in bulk, and go through their secondary fermentation in large steel tanks – but there are definitely some gems!

Flavours: Typically a little bubbly with strawberries, blueberries and a pleasant hint of bitterness

What is Montepulciano?

Montepulciano is the 2nd most planted red grape in Italy after Sangiovese and has a reputation as an affordable, juicy, “pizza-friendly” red wine. (Not to be confused with Vino Noble di Montepulciano, which is made of Sangiovese!) Fortunately, there are several producers in Abruzzo that have shown the amazing potential of this grape by producing inky, black-fruit driven, chocolatey wines, best enjoyed after 4 or more years of ageing. Medium-bodied red wines like Montepulciano generally pair with a wide variety of foods due to the natural elevated acidity. However, some Montepulciano wines with robust herbal and tobacco-like flavours often call for richer and more savoury foods.

Flavours: Red plum, oregano, sour cherry, boysenberry, tar

What is Amarone?

Expect bold aromas of cherry liqueur, black fig, cinnamon and plum, along with subtle notes of green peppercorn, chocolate and crushed gravel dust. On the palate, Amarone wines often have medium-plus to high acidity balanced with high alcohol and flavours of black cherry, brown sugar and chocolate. The older the wine, the more it will offer flavours of brown sugar, molasses and fig. What might surprise you about this wine is the presence of a touch of natural residual sugar. The residual sugar helps complement the wine’s naturally high acidity and adds to its boldness – if you didn’t know Amarone had residual sugar, you’d think it was dry.

Flavours: Cherry liqueur, black fig, cinnamon, chocolate

What is Valpolicella?

One of Italy’s best values! Great for Napa Cabernet lovers who want to explore Italian wine. Valpolicella is made by macerating Amarone grape skins and solids with fresh Valpolicella Classico. Medium to full body. Rich, soft, complex yet accessible. The grape has five tiers: Valpolicella Classico (largest quantity produced), Valpolicella Superiore (a simple daily red), Superiore Ripasso (one of Italy’s best values), Amarone Della Valpolicella (top wine of Italy), and Recioto Della Valpolicella (rare dessert wine).

Flavours: Tart berries, herbs, light bitterness, dark chocolate (depends on the variety and the quality)

What is Primitivo?

Primitivo is a dark-skinned grape known for producing inky, tannic wines, particularly Primitivo di Manduria and its naturally sweet Dolce Naturale variant. (This grape is also known as Zinfandel!) A classic Primitivo wine is high in both alcohol and tannins, intensely flavored and deeply coloured. A certain bitterness is often found in Primitivo which, combined with its mouth-puckering tannins, means that it needs a few years in either bottle or barrel.

Flavours: Cinnamon, black pepper, black forest fruits, clove

What is Negroamaro?

Negroamaro is a dark-skinned grape variety that has been associated with the Puglia region in southern Italy for at least 1500 years. It has a deep colour, medium to full tannins and dark berry fruit flavours. It can also have earthy and slightly medicinal flavours. It is mildly aromatic and can produce complex wines that show characteristics of ground brown spices such as clove, cinnamon and allspice.

Flavours: Raspberry, black cherry, violet herbs, earthy tones