GRAPES & PLACES
Trace the origin from the grape variety.
When you select a variety, the states covered in the article are shown on the map. You can proceed from each state name to a detailed explanation of the region.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo
Both Barolo and Barbaresco are made from Nebbiolo. Further north in Valtellina, it is known as Chiavennasca. By tracking the same variety, you see wine regions shift from the hills to the Alpine slopes.
- 1Valle d'Aosta ↗
Northwest · Geography of the province and major appellations
- 2Piedmont ↗
Northwest · Geography of the province and major appellations
- 4Lombardy ↗
Northwest · Geography of the province and major appellations
Sangiovese
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the flagship variety of Tuscany, but it is also widespread in Romagna. Comparing Brunello and Chianti Classico highlights not only differences in their respective lands but also in authorized blends.
- 8Emilia-Romagna ↗
Northeastern Area · State Geography and Main Appellations
- 9Tuscany ↗
Central · Geography of the region and major appellations
- 10Umbria ↗
Central · Geography of the region and major appellations
Aglianico
Aglianico
The representative regions for Aglianico are Taurasi in Campania and Vulture in Basilicata. When tracing southern Italy’s black grapes, you’ll find they often come from inland hills, not coastal areas.
- 15Campania ↗
South · Geography and key appellations
- 17Basilicata ↗
South · Geography and key appellations
Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Mascalese, the flagship red variety of Etna. Even around the same volcano, conditions differ between the northern and eastern slopes. Beyond being simply “volcanic”, there are also differences by slope.
- 19Sicily ↗
Island regions · Geography and main appellations
Vermentino
Vermentino
Vermentino is a white grape connecting Sardinia with the coasts of Liguria and Tuscany. Even within the same island, the boundaries of the Gallura and Sardegna appellations differ.
- 3Liguria ↗
Northwest · Geography of the province and major appellations
- 9Tuscany ↗
Central · Geography of the region and major appellations
- 20Sardinia ↗
Island regions · Geography and main appellations
Verdicchio
Verdicchio
Castelli di Jesi and Matelica. These two regions in Marche both grow Verdicchio, but they differ in distance from the sea and the shape of the valleys. Because they share the same grape variety, the differences in location are easier to compare.
- 11Marche ↗
Central · Geography of the region and major appellations
Glera
Glera
Glera is the grape variety; Prosecco is the name of the appellation that includes the region. By distinguishing these two terms on the label, you can also clarify the difference between the wide-ranging Prosecco DOC and the hilly DOCG.
- 6Veneto ↗
Northeastern Area · State Geography and Main Appellations
- 7Friuli-Venezia Giulia ↗
Northeastern Area · State Geography and Main Appellations
Fiano
Fiano
The region of Fiano di Avellino is in inland Irpinia, Campania. This grape variety shows that southern Italian white wines cannot be explained solely by coastal warmth.
- 15Campania ↗
South · Geography and key appellations
Montepulciano
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is the name for both a black grape variety and a town in Tuscany. The same word on a label can refer to a grape in one case and a location in another, producing different wines.
- 11Marche ↗
Central · Geography of the region and major appellations
- 13Abruzzo ↗
South · Geography and key appellations
- 14Molise ↗
South · Geography and key appellations
Primitivo
Primitivo
There are two representative origins for Primitivo in Puglia: Manduria and Gioia del Colle. Even though the grape variety is the same, the site and distance from the sea differ.
- 16Puglia ↗
South · Geography and key appellations
Carricante
Carricante
Carricante, the emblematic white of Etna. Comparing it to the red Nerello Mascalese shows that even within the same volcanic region, there are wines from different varieties and growing locations.
- 19Sicily ↗
Island regions · Geography and main appellations
Corvina
Corvina
Corvina is the key black grape in Valpolicella wines. Even for blends from the same area, the use of grape drying and refermentation leads to significant differences in production method.
- 6Veneto ↗
Northeastern Area · State Geography and Main Appellations
This shows the main relationships covered in the listed articles. It is not a diagram of all cultivation regions or vineyard surface areas. The numbers indicate representative locations within the state and do not represent state borders or appellation areas. Topography:Natural Earth。
FIELD NOTE 01
Avellino and Irpinia
A classic example of linking Fiano to its region is Fiano di Avellino. Unlike the coastal scenes often associated with Naples, the hilly inland and elevation are key to the growing conditions.
Even within Campania, the environment differs between coastal and inland areas. The province alone doesn’t tell you a vineyard’s location.
FIELD NOTE 02
Difference between Greco and Falanghina
Fiano, Greco, and Falanghina are all separate white grape varieties. Although they are often grouped together as Campanian whites, their local names do not refer to the same grape.
When comparing these wines, it's possible that not only the grape varieties but also the regions differ. It's not justified to attribute all differences in aroma and flavor purely to grape variety, since the conditions aren't consistent.
FIELD NOTE 03
Aging and individual wine specifications
When considering Fiano’s evolution after maturation, also take into account harvest year, winemaking, and storage conditions. The general trends for the variety and the changes in a particular producer’s bottle are not described by the same set of information.
By confirming vineyard location and maturation methods from producer data, you can connect your general geographic knowledge of inland whites to a particular wine.
Fiano di Avellino is a white wine region situated in the inland hills of Irpinia.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
Can the differences between Fiano and Greco from Campania be explained solely by grape variety?
Read the explanation ＋
In addition to variety, the cultivation site and winemaking may differ. To explain the differences between two wines, you also need region and specific specifications.
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View saved notes →Courses related to this question
Fiano: Interpreting Avellino’s white by vineyard and vessel →
Greco: Tufo’s whites and harvest timing →
Grillo: Sicilian whites and use of lees →
Feudi di San Gregorio: distinguishing brand, variety and DOCG →
Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
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