Think Italian white wine is all about Pinot Grigio? Think again. This one-hour to 90-minute class on Italian White Wines will delve into one of the most dynamic scenes in European wine. However, it is exclusive to paying subscribers of Opening a Bottle. Join the site today and not only will you gain access to future classes and discussions, but also scores of recorded wine classes, dozens of tasting reports and my curated selection of the Essential Winemakers of Italy and France.
Recording of the Class
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Wines to Taste with This Class
Italy’s white wines follow a fascinating trajectory within the modern history of the nation’s wine renaissance.
From 1960 to 2000, international grape varieties were the proving ground on the global stage for any fine wine nation seeking to compete with France. In the 2000s, native red varieties took center stage and the country was able to prove its bona fides on its own terms. Much of this was fueled by genetic studies of grapevine morphology, soil analysis and time-tested fermentation and aging techniques mixing with modern know-how in the cellar. In other words: things that take time.
Now, downhill of all these advances, white grape vines are getting their due, and not a moment too soon: compelling, terroir-centric white wines are more fashionable than red wines at the moment, and the sales figures back that up. However, prices have yet to go through the roof. Italy’s bianchi are prime for discovery.
In this class, I’ll spend time showcasing native grape varieties you should seek out, pinpoint a few benchmark producers per region and grape variety, and also discuss their surprising age-worthiness.
While there are too many varieties of white wine to hold a comparison tasting, I suggest that you find any of the following to taste and enjoy during the class:
- Friulano from Collio DOC or Friuli Colli Orientali DOC
- Kerner from Südtirol/Alto Adige DOC
- Timorasso from Colli Tortonesi DOC
- Turbiana from Lugana DOC
- Verdicchio/Verdicchio Riserva from Castelli di Jesi or Matelica DOC/DOCGs
- Vernaccia from Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOC
- Pecorino from Abruzzo (often IGT)
- Fiano from Campania or, more specifically Fiano di Avellino DOCG
- Carricante from Etna Bianco DOC
Note: While Vermentino, Inzolia, Cataratto and Grillo as well as all of the various permutations of Trebbiano and Malvasia can be quite delicious as well, they are variable and widely dependent on specific producers and blends. If your local wine merchant has one they feel is distinctive, go for it! Let’s discuss.
I’ll also briefly touch upon international varieties, which can be pleasantly surprising, perhaps none more so than the white blends simply labeled “Bianco” from Südtirol/Alto Adige DOC and Friuli’s Collio DOC, which often mix international and native grapes together to superb effect.
Wines I Tasted in This Video
- 2023 Abbazia di Novacella Südtirol/Alto Adige Kerner (DOC)
- 2023 La Valentina Colline Pescaresi Pecorino (IGT)
- 2021 Terra Costantino “deAetna” Etna Bianco (DOC)
