Italy Red
Italian Red Wine
Italy makes more red wine, from more native grape varieties, than any other country — several hundred are in commercial use, and most of them grow nowhere else. That is why an Italian wine list reads as place names rather than grape names: the label tells you where it is from, and the region tells you what is in the bottle.
How to read this section
Three regions do most of the work. Piedmont in the north-west is Nebbiolo — Barolo and Barbaresco at the top, Barbera and Dolcetto underneath for everyday drinking. Tuscany is Sangiovese: Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, plus the Bordeaux-blend Super Tuscans that ignore the appellation system entirely. Veneto is Valpolicella and its dried-grape wine, Amarone. Beyond those, Puglia and Sicily in the south give riper, softer, cheaper reds; Piedmont's neighbours and Friuli work at a smaller scale.
What to expect
The through-line in Italian red is acidity. These are wines built for food — the tannin and the acid that can feel severe on their own are exactly what cuts through fat and salt at the table. If you are moving across from New World reds, start with Chianti Classico or Barbera rather than with Barolo.
Serving
Most Italian reds at 16–18°C. Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello and Amarone want decanting an hour or more ahead; everything else can be poured on opening.
Filters
MASI Amarone Classico Set 1995 (Mazzano / Campolongo di Torbe / Vaio Armaron - 2 each) 1995 (6x75cl)
MASI Amarone Classico Set 1997 (Mazzano / Campolongo di Torbe / Vaio Armaron - 2 each) 1997 (6x75cl)
MASI Vaio dei Masi 250th Anniversary Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 1.5L (with wooden box) 1997 (1x150cl)
SAN LEONARDO / TRENTINO San Leonardo Terre Red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère) 2021 (1x75cl)
Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Gran Selezione 2021 (1x75cl)
Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG 2022 - Half Bottle (1x37.5cl)
Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG 2023 (1x75cl)
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 (1x75cl)
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2023 (1x75cl)
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Vigna Ferrovia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2015 (1x75cl)
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Vigna Ferrovia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2016 (1x75cl)
Antinori Solaia 2017 - Magnum (Wooden Box) (1x150cl)
Antinori Solaia 2018 - Magnum (Wooden Box) (1x150cl)
Antinori Solaia 2018 (1x75cl)
Antinori Solaia 2019 (1x75cl)
Antinori Solaia 2020 (1x75cl)
Antinori Solaia 2021 (1x75cl)
Antinori Villa Antinori Red IGT 2021 - Magnum (1x150cl)
Antinori Villa Antinori Red IGT 2022 - Magnum (1x150cl)
Antinori Villa Antinori Red IGT 2022 (1x75cl)
Antinori Villa Antinori Rosso IGT 2022- Half Bottle (1x37.5cl)
Bramasole Cortona Doc 2018 (1x75cl)
CASA GILRELLI Villalta Amarone della Valpolicella 2017 (1x75cl)
CASA GIRELLI Canaletto Montepulciano 2022 (Screw cap) (1x75cl)
CASA GIRELLI Fontella Chianti DOCG 2021 (1x75cl)
CASA GIRELLI Fontella Chianti DOCG 2022 (1x75cl)
Castello Della Sala Estate Pinot Nero IGT 2022 (1x75cl)
Castello Romitorio 'Romito' Rosso IGT 2018 (1x75cl)
Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta DOCG 2020 (1x75cl)
Castello Romitorio Colto Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2020 (1x75cl)
Castello Romitorio Ghiaccio ForteMorellino di Scansano DOCG 2024 (1x75cl)
Castello Romitorio Romitoro Toscana IGT 2021 (1x75cl)
Decanal Merlot 2023 (Screw Cap) (1x75cl)
Falesco Montiano 2017 (1x75cl)
Falesco Montiano 2019 (1x75cl)
Falesco Tellus Syrah 2020 (1x75cl)
Falesco Tellus Syrah 2022 (1x75cl)
Jermann Red Angel Pinot Nero 2020 (Screw Cap) (1x75cl)
La Braccesca Nobile di Montepulciano Rosso DOCG 2021 (1x75cl)
La Braccesca Nobile di Montepulciano Rosso DOCG 2022 (1x75cl)
La Braccesca Sabazio Rosso di Montepulciano DOC 2023 (1x75cl)
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Matarocchio 2015 (1x75cl)
Poggio Morino Chianti 2022 (1x75cl)
Prunotto Barbaresco Bric Turot DOCG 2020 (1x75cl)
Prunotto Barbaresco Secondine 2018 (1x75cl)
Prunotto Barbera d'Alba DOC 2023 (1x75cl)
Prunotto Barolo Bussia DOCG 2007 (1x75cl)
Prunotto Barolo Bussia DOCG 2020 (1x75cl)
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