Italy: The Largest Wine Producing Country
Italy is the country that produces the most wine. It produces the most wine per hectolitre of any country on the planet. Italy is home to many regions that produce high quality wines. Many Italian vineyards boast a diverse and rich wine history.
One of the most well-known wine regions in Italy is Piedmont. It’s located in the Po River Valley, the northwest corner. Piedmont is known for its red wines that are rich in tannins. This region produces both red and white wines. Piedmont has five distinct board zones. These zones are home to different varieties of grapes and wines. The warm Mediterranean and the Alps influence the region’s climate. While it’s usually dry and hot during summer, it can get cold and wet during winter. There might also be fog and rain at harvest time. Vineyards on hills are positively affected by the fog. Higher elevations on the hills have more sunlight. The result is better tasting wines. These wines are lighter in taste and more acidic than those that receive a lot of sun. The different environmental and climatic circumstances can result in a wide range of wines from Piedmont. Because the soil is so diverse, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact condition. Piemont’s soil is clay-based and can vary in quality. It is often rich in manganese and magnesium oxide.
Some areas, such as the Serralunga Valley area, have soil that is more heavy and dense and contains high levels of iron and phosphorus.
Nebbiolo is the most famous Piedmont red wine grape. This grape is high in tannins with red cherry, rose, and tar flavor. It is used in the production of high-quality wines, both D.O.C.G certified. Barolo red wine and Barbaresco are two of the most popular Nebbiolo wines. Both wines have D.O.C.G certifications.
Dolcetto is another notable Piedmont red-wine grape. Nebbiolo wines contain more tannins than Barbera wines. It is often more delicate and fruity than Barbera grape wines. Dolcetto grapes have been used to make dry red wines. Although Piedmont is known for its red wines, it also produces white wines. Moscato and Cortese are the most popular white wine grapes.
