Italy makes wine in every one of its 20 regions, from the Alps to the islands of the Mediterranean. It has more native grape varieties than any other country, over 500 in official registers, and more than 70 DOCG and 300 DOC appellations. Every valley, hill and volcano has its own grape, its own style and its own story.
This guide takes you through the regions from north to south, with the wines you should know and the experiences worth booking.
Northern Italy
Piedmont
Home of Nebbiolo, the grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco, the king and queen of Italian wine. The Langhe hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are also famous for white truffles. Other wines: Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato d'Asti, Gavi.
Veneto
Italy's largest wine producer by volume. Valpolicella gives Amarone, a rich red made from dried grapes, while Conegliano and Valdobbiadene produce Prosecco Superiore. Soave is the classic white.
Lombardy
Franciacorta, near Lake Iseo, makes traditional-method sparkling wines. In the Alps, Valtellina grows Nebbiolo on terraced slopes.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Mountain vineyards, crisp whites and aromatic varieties like Gewürztraminer, plus Trento DOC sparkling wines and reds such as Lagrein and Teroldego.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
World-class whites: Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio and the skin-contact orange wines of the Collio hills.
Other northern regions
Valle d'Aosta (tiny mountain vineyards), Liguria (Vermentino and Pigato by the sea) and Emilia-Romagna (Lambrusco, perfect with the region's legendary food).
Central Italy
Tuscany
The most visited wine region in Italy. Sangiovese rules: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, plus the Super Tuscans of Bolgheri. Read our full Tuscany wine tours guide.
Umbria
Sagrantino di Montefalco, one of the most tannic red wines in the world, and the white Orvieto.
Marche and Abruzzo
Verdicchio, one of Italy's finest whites, comes from Marche. Abruzzo is known for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.
Lazio and Molise
The hills around Rome produce Frascati and Cesanese; Molise grows Tintilia, a native red worth seeking out.
Southern Italy and the Islands
Campania
Ancient grapes on volcanic soils: Aglianico (Taurasi), Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Falanghina. The extinct Roccamonfina volcano and the slopes of Vesuvius give mineral, vibrant wines.
Puglia
Generous reds from Primitivo and Negroamaro, and fresh rosés from the Salento.
Basilicata and Calabria
Aglianico del Vulture grows on another extinct volcano; Calabria is home to Cirò, from the Gaglioppo grape.
Sicily
From Nero d'Avola to the elegant wines of Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, plus Marsala and the sweet wines of Pantelleria.
Sardinia
Cannonau, Vermentino di Gallura and Carignano del Sulcis, island wines with a strong identity.
Italian Wine Regions at a Glance
| Region | Signature wines | Main grapes |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | Barolo, Barbaresco, Moscato d'Asti | Nebbiolo, Barbera, Moscato |
| Veneto | Amarone, Prosecco, Soave | Corvina, Glera, Garganega |
| Lombardy | Franciacorta, Valtellina | Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Nebbiolo |
| Tuscany | Chianti Classico, Brunello, Bolgheri | Sangiovese, Cabernet |
| Campania | Taurasi, Fiano, Falanghina | Aglianico, Fiano, Falanghina |
| Puglia | Primitivo di Manduria | Primitivo, Negroamaro |
| Sicily | Etna Rosso, Nero d'Avola, Marsala | Nerello Mascalese, Nero d'Avola |
| Sardinia | Cannonau, Vermentino di Gallura | Cannonau, Vermentino |
Visit the Wineries of Every Region with Winoo
The best way to understand Italian wine is to taste it where it is made. On Winoo you can find wineries across Italy, compare their experiences and book directly: cellar tours, tastings, lunches and overnight stays among the vineyards. Open the Visita in cantina section and filter by region and location.
Collectors can also create a private cellar profile on Winoo, get their bottles evaluated and connect with buyers around the world.
Explore Italian wineries on Winoo →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wine regions are there in Italy?
Italy has 20 administrative regions and every one of them produces wine.
What is the most famous Italian wine region?
Tuscany and Piedmont, followed by Veneto, home of Amarone and Prosecco.
What is the best Italian wine region to visit?
Tuscany is the classic first choice; Piedmont is perfect for serious wine lovers; Sicily and Campania offer volcanic wines and fewer crowds.
What do DOC and DOCG mean?
They are Italian quality designations: DOC means Controlled Designation of Origin, DOCG adds "Guaranteed" and is the highest level, with stricter rules.