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
Tuscany and Romagna
Chianti Classico and Montalcino are in Tuscany, while Romagna is on the other side of the Apennines. Sangiovese is not a variety associated with only one region.
Even with the same variety, if you sum up the taste as 'Sangiovese' while omitting regional names, those differences are lost—since vineyard altitude, slope, and vintage weather all vary.
FIELD NOTE 02
Single variety and blend
Brunello di Montalcino is made from Sangiovese. In contrast, Chianti Classico allows additional authorized varieties to be blended according to the regulations for each style.
To attribute these two aromatic differences solely to terroir, you first need to ensure the actual varietal compositions are aligned. The appellation rules and the blend ratios in the bottles at hand are not the same information.
FIELD NOTE 03
Comparison of vineyard conditions and winemaking
Even Sangiovese from the same region can result in different styles depending on harvest decisions, extraction, and maturation vessels. When comparing geographic conditions, the producer’s specifications are also comparative factors.
For Chianti Classico, narrowing by a local place name within the zone, and for Montalcino, by the slopes around the town, allows you to investigate vineyard differences that can’t be identified from the regional name alone.
When comparing Brunello and Chianti Classico, confirm the actual grape varieties used in addition to differences in terroir.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
Can you explain the differences between Brunello and Chianti Classico solely by the location of the vineyards?
Read the explanation ＋
Location alone cannot explain everything. Regulations for permitted grape varieties differ, and for each wine there are also differences in harvest, extraction, and maturation. You’ll also need specifications for the bottles you are comparing.
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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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