Key Italian wine regions

Italy can be clearly divided into three distinct areas of wine production. This is mostly to do with the regional identity and characteristics rather than climate or grape varieties.

The Northern vineyards of Italy are influenced by the high Alps mountain range that stretches across the entire north of the country. Wines produced in this industrialised area are made in a variety of styles which are influenced by other cultures from France to the east, Switzerland along the northern border and Austria to the east. The Central area is dominated by the region of Tuscany (Toscana) that has been the cultural heartlands of Italy for centuries. The region is full of ancient wealthy cities with vast basilicas (cathedrals) filled with valuable artworks. Most of the traditional red wines are produced in high hills in land with the coastal area being suited to white varieties and Bordeaux red varieties, being more suited to the maritime climate. Southern Italy remains the poorer wild west that is mostly agricultural. Few wines are exported from here due to a combination of corruption and poor infrastructure. Traditional rustic varieties that thrive in the hot south are widespread with a few very high-quality wines produced at higher altitudes.