Italian red wines are a cornerstone of the country’s winemaking heritage, offering remarkable diversity and depth. From bold, age-worthy classics to youthful, fruit-forward styles, Italian reds are celebrated for their balance, complexity, and connection to the regions they come from.
Sangiovese, Italy’s most iconic grape, is the foundation of renowned wines like Chianti and Rosso di Montalcino in Tuscany, delivering bright cherry flavours, herbal notes, and acidity. Nebbiolo from Piedmont takes on a different character, producing the structured and aromatic wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, with flavours of rose, smoke, and red fruit. In the south, grapes like Nero d’Avola from Sicily and Aglianico from Campania shine, creating robust, sun-kissed wines with earthy and spicy undertones.
Lesser-known varieties like Schioppettino from Friuli and Montepulciano from Abruzzo add even more depth to Italy’s red wine landscape, offering unique flavours for the more adventurous wine lover. With their food-friendly nature, Italian reds pair effortlessly with a wide range of dishes, from pasta with rich tomato sauces to roasted meats and aged cheeses. This diversity and craftsmanship ensure Italian red wines remain a global favourite for years to come.
