Wine Grape in Italy
Wine grapes are one of the impressive-looking fruits that grow nearly in all regions in Italy. Scenic vineyards of wine grapes, especially in Tuscany, Central Italy, beautify the country’s landscape. Italy’s wine history dates back to around 3000 years. Wine grapes were part of the Italian daily lives, and the country was christened “Oenotria,” meaning the land of wine. I learned about Italy’s multibillion-dollar wine industry during my 2019 vacation in Rome. This paper describes the viticulture practices that influence Italy’s dominance in wine production.
Italy has 350 varieties of wine grapes that are accepted and acknowledged by their Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture. The Tuscany area, the leading producer of wine grapes in Italy, produces the four major wine grapes groups, including Sauvignon, Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Merlot. Other wine grapes varieties grown in Italy include Corvina and Aglianico, which are found in the Northeastern and Southern parts.
I recognized two different colors of wine grapes grown in Italy during my vacation. These were the red and white wine grapes. The white wine grapes are mostly grown in the southern parts of Italy. The region has rainy winters and a long warm summer climate, most conducive to white wine grapes. The red-colored ones perform better in the central parts due to the rolling hills and the coastal temperate climate that dominates this region (Suckling).
Another notable thing during the visit was the cultivation of the Italian wine grapes. Most vineyards were located towards the top and not in the bottom areas of the slope, which seemed to be frost-prone. These vineyards consist of run rows, which runs from north to south so that both parts of the vines receive light as it shifts from eastern to western parts during the day.
In Italy, the main use of grapes is wine processing and the final product is commercially known as Italian wine, which has a significant market share in the global market. Italy’s three most popular wines are Gavi, made from Cortese grape, Pinot Grigio, and Soave. However, not all varieties of wine grapes are used to make wine. Manufacturers utilize only a few types of red and white wine grapes (Robillard) for wine processing. Red wine grapes are the most commonly used compared to white ones.
Four different wine appellation systems characterize wine into four major groups. The first group is the Vino Da Tavola (VDT). VDT are everyday wines made by locals for their consumption. The second group is Inicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). This category mainly originates from designated wine regions, such as Toscana, and normally undergo quality checks before being sold (Robillard). The third group is Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), which follows the Italian winemaking laws and undergoes several quality checks before being sold (Robillard). The last division is Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). DOCG is considered the highest quality wine produced in Italy and is mostly imported to more developed nations like America, Norway, Australia, and numerous others.
In conclusion, what makes Italy special about wine growth is the long history of wine, which dates back to nearly 3000 years, and a perfect and conducive environment to grow wine. Unlike other parts of the world, Italy enjoys the coastal temperate, and the winters and long warm summers climates deemed perfect for viticulture. The leading wine producer leverages technology, experience, and strict quality metrics that give it a competitive advantage in the wine market.
Works Cited
Suckilng, James. “Italian Wine Grape Guide: 21 Wine Grapes That Grow in Italy.” Masterclass, 13 May 2021, www.masterclass.com/articles/italian-wine-grape-guide#14-italian-red-grape-varieties/. Accessed 27 October 2021.
Robillard, Hunter. “Italian Wine Regions: Wine Styles, Best Wines.” Vinovest, 23 August 2020, www.vinovest.co/blog/italian-wine-regions. Accessed 27 October 2021.