Tags
Discover Italy, Italian wine, Piedmont, Southern Italy, Tuscany, Valdadige, Veneto, wine regions
We’re about to embark on a tour of Italy’s most beautiful and historic regions – by way of the wines produced there. At Total Wine & More, it’s time for Discover Italy, our two-week exploration of the country’s wines, with in-store tastings, classes and special deals on some remarkable Italian wines.
Italy’s wines come from all over the boot-shaped peninsula, which boasts a mix of terrains and climates providing ideal conditions for many types of vines. Combined with Italy’s reputation for wonderful cuisine – and the Italian tradition that considers wine part of a meal – it’s no wonder Italy is the source of so much good wine.
Its wine regions crowd the map from the Alpine peaks of the Alto Adige to Puglia, in the heel of the boot, plus the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Some of the greatest wines come from five regions:
Piedmont
This northwestern region translates as “foot of the mountains,” and its abundant hillsides offer optimal terrain for vines. Barolo and Barbaresco are classic Piedmont red wines made with Nebbiolo grapes; Gavi and Arneis are fresh and delicious white wines produced in the region.
Valdadige
In Italy’s northeast, the cool climate is ideal for producing dry white wines – especially fine Pinot Grigios.
Veneto
The Veneto is Italy’s largest wine-producing area, home of the zesty Pinot Grigios and bubbly Proseccos we love. The region’s bright Bardolino and Valpolicella wines are wonderful reds for warm weather.
Tuscany
This beautiful and central region is home to Sangiovese, the iconic Italian grape that produces the famed red wines Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, among others.
Southern Italy
The regions south of Rome have produced wine since the Greeks crossed the seas and planted vines 3,000 years ago. The warm south is a source for ripe and flavorful wines in both traditional and modern styles.
That’s just a hint of the wines produced across the Italian map. Looking to really get to know a region and its wines? Consider our Under the Tuscan Sun class, a deep dive into the wines of Italy’s most storied wine region, held in our area stores Thursday, June 9.
Or just stop by this weekend or next (6/9-6/12 and 6/16-6/19), when we’ll be pouring crisp whites, classic red styles and lovely aromatic sparkling wines, so you can Discover Italy one sip at a time.
“It’s a great opportunity to sample every winery – well-known ones, some not-so-well-known ones – and you walk around a huge room and taste food and wine, filling your plate with little meals from the top local restaurants,” says Susan Prouse, manager at the Olympia, Wash. Total Wine & More, looking forward to her third festival. “You’ll never have that opportunity anywhere else.”
“We set up a couple of barrels at the Total Wine & More booth, we’re pouring, we have an opportunity to talk to people who are getting to know our stores in the Seattle area. And we give away free stuff!” Prouse added. Attendees may snag the latest edition of Total Wine & More’s Guide to Wine, wine tote bags or special offers that can be used on their next trip to a local store.
The windows are covered up, but Cathy Wheaton is working inside the new Silverdale Total Wine & More, and she sees you trying to take a peek.
