If you’re looking for a top wine destination to visit in 2017, you may want to try Italy. Around a two hour’s flight from London, this peninsula nation is known for making some of the most popular wine products on earth, like Prosecco and Chianti. But there’s so much to see, so where should you start? Giving you a helping hand, Ideal Wine Company names five top Italian wine regions to visit in 2017.
Veneto
Veneto is a wine-making region based in North-East Italy, which is perfect for sparkling wine lovers. It is one of the only regions in Italy where Prosecco is made, so when visiting Veneto, you can learn more about this increasingly-popular product. According to Wine Folly, an industry publication, Veneto is also famous for several of its fantastic Merlot-based reds and its Chardonnay-esque white Suave.
Tuscany
If you’re a fan of Chianti, travel to Tuscany in north-central Italy, where the product’s primary grape, Sangiovese, is grown. Tuscany is Italy’s most prolific wine-making region, giving you many estates and vineyards to check out. Apart from Chianti, Tuscany boasts a number of other legally-protected wine products for you to try, such as the ‘Super Tuscan’ dry red, ensuring that you’ll have a fabulous time.
Piedmont
Often called ‘Italy’s Burgundy,’ Piedmont is home to some of the country’s most famous varietals and wineries. Based in the Alps, on the border with France and Switzerland, Piedmont is especially known for its Barolo red wines, which are made across the region. It also produces Moscato d’Asti, a delicious white sparkling wine, making Piedmont a fantastic place to sample products from across the spectrum.
Basilicata
Moving away from the North, Basilicata is a region in South-Central Italy. It is something of an underdog in Italian wine-making, making Basilicata a great place to visit if you want to go off the beaten path. The region is particularly known for its Aglianico-based red wines, which are full-bodied and age very well. It also produces various Syrah and Moscato wines that you’re sure to love!
Sicily
Serving as a hub of Mediterranean viticulture for millennia, Sicily is one of the best destinations in Europe for wine fans. The area’s Nero d’Avola wine is absolutely stunning and you can sample it at various vineyards across Sicily. The island also has a reputation for producing Syrahs which are comparable to those made in the South of France, ensuring that you’ll have an amazing time in Sicily.
Sample wines
With these five regions, we’ve only just scratched the surface. There are so many wine-making regions in Italy that you can visit each one and discover something unique every time. If you’re planning to go on an Italian wine holiday this year, prepare by sampling some of the nation’s best vintages before you travel. Browse the Italian wines list on Ideal Wine Company’s website to get started today!
Image credit: Jeff Kubina
