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
Langhe and Valtellina
Both Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont are red wine appellations using Nebbiolo. Even in neighboring regions, the boundaries and aging regulations differ.
In Valtellina, Lombardy, the same variety is known as Chiavennasca. This is an Alpine mountain region, so the vineyards differ in location from those of the Langhe hills.
FIELD NOTE 02
Color, tannin, acid
Depth of wine color and the intensity of tannins or acidity should be considered separately. When evaluating the structure of Nebbiolo, simply judging by color does not provide enough information.
Skin contact and maturation vessel are choices made by the producer. If you have information about both the vineyard and the winemaking process, you can more easily distinguish differences of site and of vinification.
FIELD NOTE 03
Different vineyards from the same producer
If a producer makes Nebbiolo from multiple vineyards, you can compare vineyard differences with the same producer. The Produttori del Barbaresco vineyard-designated wines are an example.
However, if the vineyards are different, the harvest conditions may also differ. Before using the village name as a catchphrase for flavor, check the vintage and the specifications of the individual wine.
In Barolo, Barbaresco, and Valtellina, the same Nebbiolo grape is used to make wines under different geographic and regulatory conditions.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
When comparing Chiavennasca and Nebbiolo, is it correct to consider them different varieties?
Read the explanation ＋
Chiavennasca is the local name for Nebbiolo used in Valtellina. It's important to distinguish between the differences in variety names and those in region, regulations, or winemaking.
Write in your own words
Write what you have learned, your reasoning, and what you still need to confirm.
Maximum 5,000 characters. This is stored within this browser. Press "Save" to record your note. Saving a blank will delete this note.
View saved notes →Courses related to this question
Nebbiolo: Comparing the hills of Langhe and the vineyards of the Alps →
Arneis: Avoid confusing red and white wines of Roero →
Barbera: distinguishing color intensity, acidity, and tannin →
Bruno Giacosa: The locations of Asili and Falletto →
Giacomo Conterno: Different varieties from the same vineyard name →
Gaja: village name and wine appellation names →
Vietti: Timing of Combining Multiple Vineyards →
Produttori del Barbaresco: Comparing two vineyards from the same year →
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.
About the editorial policy →