It’s no secret that our Italian container recently landed. As excited as we are to get these wines ready for market, it’s worth a moment to stop and get the lay of the land and appreciate the full magnitude of what we’ve got on hands.
The rule when writing about Italian wine is you simply cannot write about all of it. There’s just too much! Not only is the amount of wine made in Italy dizzying/staggering (only France exports more wine to the rest of the globe), but the country has as many wines and it has had governments. Twenty regions, hundreds of DOCs (not the word processor, I promise), and even more indigenous grape varieties combine to make Italy the international smorgasborg of wine that it is today.
So, instead we’ll start off with an aerial tour form a variety of altitudes.
The long view: Flyover style
Consider it a Satellite dish style overview. Anchored to Europe at the southern edge of the Alps, the Italian peninsula looks, well, like a boot. The very north of Italy looks an awful lot like Germany: the Alpine mountains, cold snowy mountain tops. Just south of the rolling Alpine foothills (called Langha in Italian), the Po River Valley is a dramatic change in scenery. A low wide swath of fertile river lands, this is Italy’s bread basket (pardon the pun). From here, the Apennines mountains dominate the landscape. Running from the northern Alpine border with France along the peninsula to the ‘toe’ of the boot in Calabria, the Apennines are the dominant feature of Italy’s landscape. Indeed, this central ridge or spinal column dictates much about Italian history, culture, and wine. Along the east coast, the Adriatic Sea. Along the west coast, the Ligurian and Tyrhenian Seas merge into the Mediterranean sea. Here lie the two Italian islands of Sardegna and Sicily, both of which sit closer the coast of Africa than to Europe.
Little closer now: Superman style
Strap on your cape and goggles. We’re coming in for a closer look at the regional geographies that make Italy so rich in wine styles. From the Alpine continental climate of Piedmont, Lombardy and the Veneto south into the Mediterranean climates of Tuscany, Umbria, the Marche and Puglia; the regional variety is in large part responsible for the scope of Italian wines.
Starting from the northern Italian border shared with France and Switzerland, the Alps soften into languid yet dramatic foothills. Here vines are planted along slopes. The artful lines of vines maximize sun exposure to fully ripe fruit.
Following the Po River from West to East (left to right if you’re following on a standard road map), our flyover takes us over the rugged hills of Piedmont, the snowy tips of Lombardy, and into the jewel of the Veneto: Venice. Much of this land still resembles the alpine north. Harsh mountains, steep terrain, and remote vineyards clamoring for the sun.
Turn south over the Veneto and head for the Apennines, Italy’s spine. At this height flying south, look to your right and see the sun-drenched lands of Tuscany. The lush green brush land leads into a sea-side paradise for grapes. This is the start Italy’s great Mediterranean regions.
To your left: Emilia-Romagna and the Marche. Warmed by their proximity to the Adriatic Sea, this region offers both fabulous cool nights and warm sunny days.
Continuing along the mountainous ridge south, we come into the ankle of the Italian boot-shaped peninsula. The Mediterranean warmth claims its full effect over Campania and Puglia.
As Puglia becomes the heel we turn again, flying west. Through the toe of Italy’s boot and over the island of Sicily. Fabled in lore and film, this island presents a rough, dry landscape. Shockingly fertile around the coastal areas, the terrain is breathtaking.
As we finish our flight, we’ll turn northwest for a flyover of the oft-overlooked Sardegna. This marvelous island is reason to pause: the magnificent southern tip is lined with swirling rows of vines.
Next up: Coming in for a delicious landing
Next week we’ll explore the specific regions, styles of wine, grapes, and producers that make Italy a magnificent jewel in the wine world.
