Enjoy wine? Become a member of the Wine Forum at http://www.DiscussFineWine.com today!
Italian wine has a long and interesting history. In fact, Greek settlers were producing wine in the region way before the Romans started planting and harvesting their own vineyards in the second century before Christ. While the Greeks may have started it, the Romans perfected it, organizing large scale productions and developing their own storing techniques.
Indeed, if it weren't for the Romans, we wouldn't have wine made in barrels or bottles of the beverage. Even though it's been more two thousand years since the Romans took over wine making, Italy remains one of the world's greatest producers of wine. In fact, Italy was responsible for around 20 percent of the world's wine production in 2005.
Grapes are grown in nearly every part of Italy, and there are more than 1 million vineyards being cultivated this year. While each winery produces a different wine, overall Italian wine can be characterized as acidic and dry. They have a subdued flavor and aroma, which makes them better with food than enjoyed alone.
Italian culture is centered around wine. Many Italians drink it with every meal; almost as many drink it in between meals, too. It is customary for visitors to be offered a glass of wine upon arriving to the host's house.
There are four classes of Italian wine, falling under two different categories. The first category is Table Wine, the other is Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR). Under table wine, there is Vino de Tavola and Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). The former just means that it's made in Italy, while the latter denotes wine from a specific region within the country.
In the QWPSR category, there are two subcategories. Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) refer to very specific zones in Italy. These are more specific than the aformentioned IGT wines. Who knew there was so much to Italian wine?
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Why Cheap Wines Glasses Are the Best
By: Markus Sanarko | 26/11/2009Purchasing cheap wines glasses is an idea that attracts a great number of people that would like to enjoy a luxury item like this that will not end up costing them a lot of money. One of the biggest reasons that people like to purchase cheap wine glasses for use in their home is that they will reduce a lot of stress.
Choosing the Best Cheap Wine Glasses
By: Markus Sanarko | 26/11/2009No matter if you are holding a holiday party, your wedding reception or another special event, the wine you serve as well as the glasses you serve the wine will be something you need to consider which leads to thoughts of cheap wine glasses.
Cheap Wine Glasses - What To Look For
By: Markus Sanarko | 26/11/2009Words There are more and more people that are looking for a great set of wine glasses that they can serve wine in on special occasions. Since wine glasses can be extremely expensive, this causes many people to want to buy cheap wine glasses as an alternative to their more expensive counterparts.
Cheap Wine Glasses - How to Buy Them
By: Markus Sanarko | 26/11/2009If you find yourself constantly worrying over your guests breaking your expensive wine glass whenever you throw a party, then you might want to give cheap wine glasses a try. But just because they’re cheap, doesn’t mean that you have to settle for plastic ones.
Cheap Wine Glasses - Setting the Theme for Creative Dinner Parties
By: Markus Sanarko | 26/11/2009Entertaining does not need to be so expensive. There are still ways to host delightful parties without going overboard the budget. As long as people are creative enough to come up with food and beverage that can be enjoyed by everyone, a party can never go wrong. The first step is by thinking of a specific theme.
Learn How to Easily Make Wine at Home - Wine Tips
By: Bryan Burbank | 25/11/2009Making wine at home can be but fun and rewarding. There are simple steps you can take to have great tasting wine that you made in the comfort of your own home. Buying premium wine can get expensive so learning how to make your own can save you money as well.
What is Margaux Wine?
By: Simon Dee Thomas | 25/11/2009To describe Margaux wine, one will never run out of beautiful words to capture its essence… its taste, its texture, its quality… Margaux wine is soft, aristocratic, artistic, fluffy, beautiful, elegant, tasteful and serene. Such are words that best describes its secrets.
Wine Tasting - a Guide to Wine Tasting Events
By: Jennifer Waite | 21/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsWine tasting events are becoming more and more popular. From college classrooms to vacations to Napa Valley, if you're going to a wine tasting event and aren't familiar with the protocol, you'll stick out like a sore thumb...
Wine Online - How to Learn About Wine Online
By: Jennifer Waite | 21/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsYou can learn a lot about wine online. The internet is a great resource to utilize before going into an actual wine store and making a purchase, as well as a wine tasting event. This is particularly true if you aren't familiar with proper wine...
Wine Gifts - Reasons Why Wine Gifts are a Great Idea
By: Jennifer Waite | 21/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsWine gifts can be appropriate for just about any occasion. From housewarming presents to birthday surprises, the gift of a good bottle of wine is always fashionable. However, if you're not a wine connoisseur choosing the best bottle can be a...
Shiraz - the History of Shiraz Wine
By: Jennifer Waite | 21/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsShiraz, known as syrah in France, Chile, Argentina and most parts of the United States, is a type of grape. This grape, used to make wine, has a deep purple color. Shiraz is a unique wine, and has one of the highest serving temperatures of them all, 65 degrees Fahrenheit...
Red Wine - a Guide to Red Wine
By: Jennifer Waite | 19/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsThere are several different kinds of red wine. Most wines are made from grapes, including syrah, cabernet and zinfandel varieties. If only one variety (merlot, for example) is listed on the label, the wine is varietal and is named after the grape with a capital letter...
Napa Valley Wine - What you Probably Don't Know About Napa Valley Wine
By: Jennifer Waite | 19/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsNapa Valley wine doesn't just come from one of the top wine regions in California, but in all of the United States. The climate, geography and geology trifecta come together to make the perfect environment for growing quality wine grapes...
Italian Wine - the Long History of Italian Wine
By: Jennifer Waite | 19/12/2007 | Wines & SpiritsItalian wine has a long and interesting history. In fact, Greek settlers were producing wine in the region way before the Romans started planting and harvesting their own vineyards in the second century before Christ. While the Greeks may...