People all over the world love Italian wines for their great value, diversity of styles, protection of indigenous varieties, and food-friendliness. Italy is one of the best places to visit if you want to go on one of the best wine tours. Italy is one of the top destinations for wine lovers from all over the world. They come here to tour the vineyards and taste some of the world’s finest wines. Let us take a look at some of the greatest wine regions in Italy you must visit.
Before looking at the wine-producing regions of Italy, though, it is important that you figure out your mode of transport. While Italy has an exemplary public transport system, the easiest way to get around from one wine region to the next is to rent a car. The numerous car rental companies throughout the wine regions of Italy make it very easy to select from a range of rental cars. Even hotels allow you to compare car rental prices in Italy before you book your car rental.
Here’s a look at Italy’s top wine regions that you can explore with a car rental.
1. Tuscany and Umbria
Italy’s most beautiful vineyards are located amongst the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria. The most famous wine in Italy, the Chianti, is associated with Tuscany, while the Orvieto and Torgiano are associated with Umbria. One of the largest vintners of Tuscany is Banfi. Tuscany is also the most ancient wine-producing region in Italy, with wine production going back to the 8th century BC. The native Sangiovese grapes are famous for creating the wines being produced in these two regions.
2. Piedmont
In the north of Italy lies the Piedmont wine-rich region. It produces some of the most famous red wines that Italy is known for, including Barolo and Barbaresco. The area is nestled in the heart of the Po River Valley and surrounded by the snowy Alps in the north and in close proximity to the Mediterranean as well. This unique climate is perfect for varieties made from the Nebbiolo grapes.
3. Veneto
Veneto is the most productive wine-producing region in Italy, best known for the sparkling Prosecco wine. This is a type of white wine that is produced north of Venice in a place called Valdobbiadene. It is primarily manufactured from Glera grapes. This region is also known for white wines like Soave, which is made from Garganega grapes, and red wines like Valpolicella, Bardolino, and Amarone.
4. Trentino
Trentino is located in the northernmost part of Italy and produces some of the leading sparkling wines. The uniqueness of the wines produced here is that they use the classic Champagne manufacturing method. Don’t forget to check out the Moscati Rosa and the super fragrant Gewurztraminer.
5. Friuli
This region produces famous wines known as the ‘super whites,’ characterized by a long maceration. The Friulano is the most famous wine of this region, and it is a good great idea to go wine tasting around Cormons.
The best way to travel from one wine region to the next is in a rental car. Just remember to carry out a thorough car rental comparison before finalizing your car rental. Compare prices on-line and book well in advance for the best deals. Traffic in Italy can be rough but your vacation becomes so much easier with a car. Just be careful when driving in large cities because traffic and parking can be a mess.
