Defining Two Types of Italian Wine
Italy is known as one of the most romantic countries in the world and they are also known for their excellent Italian wine. The country produces more wine than anywhere else in the world and there are literally hundreds of different types of Italian wine that are exported globally. The world of wines from Italy can be quite complex as each wine producing area of Italy may produce a specific type of wine, based on the grapes they harvest.
For years it has seemed that Italy kept the best of the best wines for themselves and shipped out great tasting but mostly generic wines globally. Times have changed however thanks to technology, growing practices and global demand for a more exclusive selection of Italian wine. While there are many nuances for wine from Italy, there are basically two different types of Italian wine ? table wines and more expensive, exclusive wines.
Table Wines
Table wines are the perfect complement to hearty, down-home Italian food and can be found in most Italian restaurants and home tables. These wines are not as expensive as the higher end wines and are perfect for a more casual, convivial atmosphere among friends. The table Italian wine is likely in a large glass jug and mainly comes in red and white varieties, perfect for virtually any Italian dish. The majority of table wines from Italy are slightly fruity with a light sweetness and some being light bodied or even sparkling. Chianti is a popular type of table wine that is well revered by many wine enthusiasts as being tasty as well as affordable.
More Expensive Wines
Italy takes enormous pride in their Italian wine selections that are priced a bit higher than normal standards and as well they should. The exclusivity of the wines is based on the type of native grapes they are derived from as well as the growing region. For this reason, you will see Tuscan wines that are from the province of Tuscany in Italy and other variations can be pinpointed to a specific region by not only the name of the wine but also the type of grapes used in its production.
There are approximately 2,000 types of grapes being grown in Italy today so you can imagine the variety of Italian wine available on the market. With the intermingling of the different varieties there are countless flavors from light to full-bodied with dry to fruity flavors to wines with smoky or oak undertones. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to Italian wine and therefore is the reason why this type of wine is one of the most complex to shop for.
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