Italian Wines: Which One to Choose for Every Occasion?

Italy is one of the world's powerful wine-growing countries and is the country with the largest number of different grape varieties. Moments to share and enjoy such as toasts, dinners, evenings with friends, romantic occasions, for many special moments, an Italian wine is the perfect choice.

These are great opportunities to taste good wines, classic bottles to uncork on special occasions or even when you simply feel like treating yourself. Spending a little more is often rewarded the moment you bring the glass to your nose, as Italian wines are remarkably known for their aromatic profiles.

Aromatic characteristics of Italian wine

They vary depending on where you grew up. Red fruits, floral perfumes and tertiary aromas. Bitter cherries, jams, fruit compote, violets, gladiolus, herbaceous (freshly cut hay), earthy aromas, wilted flowers and dried fruits.

Sangiovese is mainly aged in large Slovanian oak "botti", which results in less contact between the wine and the wood, causing the must is stabilized and oxidation is much slower. The anthocyanins (polyphenols found in the skin of red grapes that gives wines their color) of Sangiovese tend to garnet and when aged it is recognizable by their orange rim.

Wine selection: How and when for every occasion 

There are a lot of Italian wines suitable for any occasion you have in mind. Sparkling wines are perfect for toasting on holidays or special events. When the menu includes meat or fish, red wines are often the star, though whites and rosés can also be great choices.

Have you ever heard of meditation wines? They’re made for moments of total relaxation. No matter the moment, there’s a wine that fits perfectly.

Table Wines

Wine pairing connoisseurs or enthusiasts, gourmets, and others, know the excellence of a good Italian wine that best envelops the palate before and after gastronomic tastings.

While we find Italian wines that pair well with a good number of typical local specialties, some fine wines enhance gastronomic flavors independently due to their outstanding quality.

This group includes outstanding wines, such as Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Chianti, as well as other varieties. The key to a great food pairing lies in the quality of each element on its own.

Fine Italian white table wines 

Among the best white table wines, there are a wide range of options from grapes such as Pinot Grigio and Verdicchio, to regions such as Tuscany and Sicily. Not to mention that the most popular are Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC, the Soave from the Veneto region, and wines of Fiano, Greco and Falanghina from southern Italy.

Fine Italian rosé table wines

Italy's rosé wines are one of the most popular in the country's wine offer. Italy is a producer of a wide variety of rosé wines, highly valued for their versatility, elegance and flavor. As in other wine regions, Italian rosé wines are most commonly obtained through direct pressing of grapes and short maceration.

How are rosé wines from Italy made?

Rosé wines from Italy are produced using a short maceration technique, where the skins of red grapes are left in contact with the must for a short period of time, usually for a few hours, or sometimes even up to a couple of days.

In this short period of maceration time, the pigments of the skins stain the must, which causes the characteristic pink color of this type of wine. Subsequently, the must is separated from the skins and then goes on to the fermentation process.

As a result of the above, Italy's rosé wines, each with its own particular style and characteristics, combine aromas and flavors ranging from fresh and juicy fruits, such as raspberries and strawberries to spaced and floral touches.

 Italian red table wines

Italian reds are your ideal partner for that special meal you’re hosting or any occasion where having fun is the main goal. Plethora of options are available thanks to the Italian grape varieties and regions.

From a jovial and fruity Chianti, which combines wonderfully with almost everything, to a formal Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, with a pleasant body and soft tannins.

We also balanced Barberas from Piedmont, full of cherry and joy, or a voluptuous Valpolicella that will surprise you with its freshness. They can be classified as wines to simply enjoy without complications, both with friends and family or for a more formal event, such as a business dinner or a celebratory event.

Three VIP Italian wine recommendations available in Finding.wine store

1.    Biondi-Santi 2020 Rosso di Montalcino

The Bondi Santi 2020 Rosso di Montalcino is a must-know wine. Created from the Sangiovese Grosso grape, which is like the queen of the Montalcino region in Italy. One of the main characteristics for this wine is that it is aged for a year in oak barrels, which gives it that particular touch without taking away its fruit.

What can you expect to find in this excellent Italian wine?

It is a combination of aromas of "ripe cherries and strawberries" with floral touches and an earthy note. Although it is a wine that we can enjoy immediately, it also has the potential to be stored for a few years, allowing it to develop a greater complexity and quality. It is considered ideal to accompany red meats or cured cheeses.

2.    Poggio di Sotto 2021 Rosso di Montalcino

Poggio di Sotto is a wine with a jovial and refreshing feel, with a more artisanal approach, but with an undisputed purity and elegance and this 2021 version is no exception.

We are talking about a Sangiovese that, although it is a rosé, (the youngest version of the Brunello house), is a wine with deep characteristics and very marked complexity. You can picture it like an elegant ballet dancer, but strong and light at the same time. On the nose you will find an explosion of red fruits such as cherries and raspberries.

3.    Collosorbo - 2018 - Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

When we talk about a Collosorbo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, we’re talking about something exceptional. This is not only a quality wine, it represents the pinnacle of what the Collosorbo estate can offer from a special vintage. The "Riserva" designation means that it has undergone extended aging, both in a barrel and in bottle, making it a wine with impressive aging potential.

Final Words

Italy is one of the countries in the world with the most contribution to world wine production, with a quality already proven, it offers us a bunch of opportunities to select some of the best wines in the world. The last 3 recommendations that we leave you, can be easily obtained in our online store finding.wine, with a discount of 10% on every first purchase.

We invite you to visit the store, where you will have the most extensive offer of all kinds of wines worldwide!