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
Wine regions on islands and peninsulas
The coasts of Sardinia, Liguria, and Tuscany are the starting point for learning about regions where Vermentino is grown. Even though they are all near the sea, elevation, rocks, wind, and the proximity of vineyards to the sea are not identical.
To go a step beyond the classification 'coastal whites', you need to specify which region and which vineyard.
FIELD NOTE 02
Gallura and Sardinia
Vermentino di Gallura is an appellation linked to Gallura in the island’s northeast, while Vermentino di Sardegna covers a broader area of the island. The geographical name following the variety differs.
Even among Vermentino from Sardinia, the area stated on the label and the production regulation may not always be the same.
FIELD NOTE 03
Impressions of aroma and flavor and their causes
A description such as ‘salty taste’ and an explanation that its cause is the sea or soil are two different arguments. The former describes perception; for the latter, a causal basis is needed.
When comparing regions, if you record both aromas/flavors and the vineyard or winemaking conditions confirmed from sources separately, you can avoid explaining geography with only impressions.
On Vermentino labels, also note the difference between Gallura and Sardegna following the variety name.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
Are Vermentino di Gallura and Vermentino di Sardegna just different terms for the same area?
Read the explanation ＋
These are appellations with different areas and rules. The former refers to Gallura, the latter to the wider Sardinia area. Even if the grape varieties are the same, the place names cannot be interchanged.
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View saved notes →Courses related to this question
Vermentino: Sub-regions and wine types within the island →
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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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