Italy is undoubtedly the most diverse wine region in the world.  With over 500 indigenous varieties of grape as well as all the major international varieties, which combine to create the 315 defined and regulated wine production areas known as DOCG's DOC's and IGT's. 

With so many areas and with some perplexing wine names it is not surprising that many people find Italian wine confusing.  We have put together a few bits of information that we hope will help make the

Firstly, while it is impossible to make unequivocal statements about a wine region as varied as Italy, it is worth taking into account a few observations about the more common styles of Italian wine.

Wine and Food

Wine is inextricably linked in Italy with food, it is always seen as a partner for food and therefore it is more common to see wine styles that compliment and that are in turn that are enhanced by food.  Indeed at wine tastings in Italy there is always food present, some breadsticks or taralli at very least.

Italian wines tend to have a higher acidity to create a freshness in the mouth, also they tend to be more medium bodied so as not to overwhelm the food.

It is also worth saying that Italian food is very regionalized and the regions wine styles have developed over the centuries to compliment the local cuisines.  We have therefore included serving suggestions and sometimes even recipes with all our wines for those of you who feel adventurous in the kitchen.

Recipes 

Grapes

As we have said earlier, there are 500 different indigenous grape varieties in Italy, many of the wines we import are made with grape types that may be unfamiliar to many, we have therefore included some information on some of the more common grapes found in our wines.

The Grapes                                   Vintages

We have also included some information on the last few years in Italy.  This is very rough and we hope to expand it later in the year to be more specific to the different regions.

Contact Details:

Paul Coffey & Enrica Ferrara

Ferrara Wine & Food

Info@ferrara.ie

Phone: 086 6061197

A Vineyard on the island of Ischia

Links

If you have an interest in learning about Italian food please visit our friends Flavour of Italy

An Italian school of cooking in Dublin and an importer of Italian gastronomic products.

For anyone with an interest in food I highly recommend looking at the pizza obsessive on Chow

Its a great insight into real Pizza

For an honest appraisal of wine check out wine libary tv.  It is a little hype and very american but an unfussy, sincere view of wines there is no where better.