| Italians have successfully planted a lot of dominant | | | | certain region of the Italy. |
| international varietals. However if you are truly | | | | Now that you know what the Italian labels mean |
| interested in tasting the best Italian wine, then it is | | | | we can proceed on how to pick up a good Italian |
| the country's local wine which offer the true | | | | wine. If you are looking for a cheap but good |
| flavor of Italy. Italian wines taste really good when | | | | Italian wine then you should pick up from the IGT |
| they are aged. It is a daunting task for non | | | | category. There are some good table wines which |
| Italians to completely understand the wine label | | | | go especially well with Italian foods. If you are |
| and pick up a good wine. For beginners it is | | | | planning for Friday night lasagna, then these one's |
| important that you understand the basic | | | | are the best choice. Table wines tend to be bit |
| classification of Italian wine. | | | | sweeter, light bodied and very compatible even |
| The classification system has 4 categories: | | | | for the first time drinkers. |
| DOCG: represents the highest quality. There are | | | | If you are looking for something expensive, then |
| literally hundreds of first class Italian wines to | | | | the sky is your limit. The varied terrain and ever |
| choose from. | | | | changing climate in Italy has led the Italians to |
| DOC: It is equivalent to the French classification | | | | produce nearly 2000 varieties of wines. The most |
| AOC. They should adhere to certain rules defined | | | | famous ones are the super Tuscans. The super |
| by government. The grapes should be grown in | | | | Tuscan family comprises of the Sangiovese |
| predefined areas and they should be prepared | | | | mostly blended with the Cabernet Franc, or |
| according to certain rules in order to preserve the | | | | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah giving rise to |
| unique wine characters. | | | | a wide variety of wines. These are bit expensive |
| IGT: This is used for table wines. Those under this | | | | but offer an exotic flavor and taste. |
| category are more of the local one's. Some first | | | | The other higher end Italian wines include the |
| class wines also fall in this specific category in | | | | Amarone, the Barolo and Barbaresco, the Pinot |
| order to avoid the stringent rules of DOC and | | | | Grigo. These wines have their unique aroma and |
| DOCG. | | | | taste and are probably few of the best wines |
| Vdt: The one's in this class are from lower end, | | | | which the Italians have to offer to the world. |
| and these are mostly the table wines produced at | | | | |