Italy is a mosaic of grape varieties, each linked to a territory, a culture, and a lifestyle. From the powerful reds of the South to the aromatic whites of the North, from Barbera of Piedmont to Primitivo of Puglia, each grape tells a story worth savoring.
But what are the most widely grown native grape varieties in Italy? Here is the table sorted by quantity of hectares, and the main Italian areas of distribution:
|
Grape variety |
Type |
Estimated hectares |
Main areas |
|
Sangiovese |
Red |
~55,000 |
Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Marche |
|
Montepulciano |
Red |
~30,000 |
Abruzzo, Marche, Molise |
|
Glera |
White |
~28,000 |
Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
|
Trebbiano |
White |
~25,000 |
Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna |
|
Catarratto |
White |
~22,000 |
Sicily |
|
Negroamaro |
Red |
~20,000 |
Apulia |
|
Barbera |
Red |
~20,000 |
Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna |
|
Primitivo |
Red |
~18,000 |
Apulia |
|
Moscato |
White |
~17,000 |
Piedmont, Sicily |
|
Dolcetto |
Red |
~12,000 |
Piedmont |
|
Cannonau |
Red |
~6,000 |
Sicily |
Alongside native grape varieties, there are, of course, the most widespread international varieties; here is the table of the most cultivated blends in Italy and their areas of distribution:
|
Grape variety |
Main Italian Zones |
|
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli, Sicily |
|
Merlot |
Friuli, Veneto, Tuscany, Trentino |
|
Chardonnay |
Trentino, Lombardy, Veneto, Sicily, Piedmont |
|
Syrah/Shiraz |
Tuscany, Sicily, Lazio, Sardinia |
|
Sauvignon Blanc |
Friuli, Alto Adige, Veneto, Tuscany |
|
Pinot Noir |
Alto Adige, Oltrepò Pavese, Trentino, Tuscany |
If you want to learn more about the characteristics of the most widespread wines worldwide, read the article that ArsWine.it has dedicated to the topic; to discover more curiosities about the world of wine, information, events and news visit the Arswine.it blog
Have a good trip and enjoy the tasting!
