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
BIBBIANO, Vigne di Montornello Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 Magnum (1x150cl)
Antinori Solaia Toscana 2012 (1x75cl)
Michele Chiarlo Faset Barbaresco Doc 2020 (1x75cl)
Bruno Giacosa Falletto Dolcetto d'Alba 2021 (1x75cl)
Bruno Giacosa Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore 2020 (1x75cl)
Cesari Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2019 (1x50cl)
Corte Giara Recioto della Valpolicella 2020 (1x50cl)
Frescobaldi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Tenuta Calimaia 2020 (1x75cl)
Pio Cesare Il Nebbio Langhe Doc (Nebbiolo + Pinot Noir) 2024 (1x75cl)
MICHELE CHIARLO Palàs Barbaresco DOCG 2020 (1x75cl)
Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2015 (1x75cl)
Prunotto Barolo DOCG 2013 (1x75cl)
Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore DOCG 2022 (1x75cl)
Tenuta Guado al Tasso Estate Il Bruciato Bolgheri DOC 2023 (1x75cl)
Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2018 (1x75cl)
Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 1996 (1x75cl)
Tignanello 1996 (1x75cl)
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 1995 (1x75cl)
Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino 2005 (1x75cl)
Tignanello 1991 (1x75cl)
MASI Costasera Amarone Classico DOCG 375ml 2020 (1x37.5cl)
CASTELLO BANFI Brunello di Montalcino 375ml 2019 (1x37.5cl)
CASTELLO BANFI Rosso di Montalcino 2022 (1x75cl)
Gaja Sito Moresco 2022 (1x75cl)
Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico 2021 (1x75cl)
BIBBIANO, Chianti Classico 2021 (1x75cl)
Ca' del Baio "Vallegrande" Barbaresco D.O.C.G. 2021 (1x75cl)
Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2004 (1x75cl)
Antinori Solaia 1988 (1x75cl)
Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 (1x75cl)
Lamole di Lamole "Lareale" Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2019 (1x75cl)
Lamole di Lamole Duelame Chianti Classico DOCG 2021 (1x75cl)
Ca' del Baio "Asili" Riserva Barbaresco D.O.C.G. 2017 (1x75cl)
Galatrona Petrolo 2017 (1x75cl)
Oddero Barolo DOCG 1997 (1x75cl)
Antinori Tignanello 1982 (1x75cl)
Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1982 (1x75cl)
Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2019 (1x75cl)
Montepeloso Suvereto A Quo IGT Costa Toscana 2022 (1x75cl)
Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 2018 (1x75cl)
Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari 2020 (1x75cl)
Domini Veneti Appassimento Rosso Passito IGT 2023 (1x75cl)
Caiarossa 2005 (1x75cl)
Giodo La Quinta 2020 (1x75cl)
Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi DOCG 2019 (1x75cl)
Pio Cesare Nebbiolo Langhe DOC 2021 (1x75cl)
Planeta Didacus Cabernet Franc Menfi DOC 2016 (1x75cl)
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