Italy, everybody agrees, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. History, art, culture, landscapes, seaside and mountains: no wonder it’s one of the most visited countries in the world. Of course, people from all around the globe know about its culinary potential, and therefore the peninsula attracts thousands of enology enthusiasts and gastro-food sector lovers. 

But why exactly should you choose an Italian wine over some other part of the world? There’s a few key factors that contribute to this cause. Already in Ancient Greece they referred to the country as 'Enotria', which means 'land of wine'. The subsequent growth of the Roman Empire expanded it across much of the planet, making Italy the cradle of some of the great wines of the Old World.

Each of the country's 20 regions is a wine producer, although some stand out especially, preserving an impressive wine tradition. Two above all the others are probably Piedmont and Tuscany. The first is located just at the foot of the alps: Its vineyards extend surrounded by mountains and crossed by the Po River. Its most important grape is Nebbiol, one of the most valued in the country. Wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco are made with it, whose aromas of red fruits pair wonderfully with red meat, truffles and cheeses.

Tuscany instead is probably the most famous wine region on the planet, with world famous products such as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or Chianti. The Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine of great intensity and structure. Ruby in color that tends to garnet with aging, the nose expresses a delicate aroma of violets. On the palate it conveys a pleasant plum flavor and a pleasantly dry taste. Combine this sublime bottle with roasts and white and red meats, as well as noble birds and game. Its characteristics allow it to better enhance the flavors of cured cheeses, such as sheep cheese or Parmesan cheese.

If you are wondering how to pair Italian wines, you will be familiar with the idea that white Italian wine is used for fish and red wine for meat. Mistake! White meats go very well with white wines, while for other dishes it is necessary to study the ingredients in detail. Very spicy dishes pair very well with old wines, with a high alcohol content and a lot of sugar. For some fish, such as salmon, some pink ones work very well. 

Trying to understand how to pair Italian wines is difficult, but don't forget rosés, very versatile light and balanced Italian wines. Rosé wines are best for the aperitif, an appetizer based on light cheeses or duck. Italian wines have that edge that actually characterizes the entire cuisine of the “Bel Paese”, and this is a notion well known to all experts in the sector. So it’s no surprise that even its wines are admired and respected all over the world. 

Let us remember, and as a conclusion, that Italian wines are designed to pair with exquisite Italian food and for this reason they are designed with powerful flavors and a high degree of acidity. They pair wonderfully with all kinds of "Pastas" and red meats. In any case, there is such a variety and disparity of wines that it is difficult not to find a wine in Italy that adapts to our tastes and preferences and that we can enjoy.