The territory
Regions
Italy
Italian wine dates back more than 4,000 years. It was a part of everyday life even before the coming of the Greeks, who then named the region ‘Oenotria’, or the land of wine.
In Italy each region produces its own unique type of wine that has different flavor profiles dating back several hundred years. Like the administrative divisions, the 20 wine-producing regions stretch across the geography of the country.
Italy’s climate is geographically that of the temperate zone. However, owing to its iconic, boot-like shape, each region faces different climatic conditions that can affect the different grapes.
Veneto
The Veneto region is located in Northeastern Italy, lying between the foothills of the Alps and the top of the Adriatic Sea. This ribbon of land, nestled among picturesque vineyards, is home to charming cities such as Verona, Vicenza, Padova, Treviso, and Veneto’s crowning beauty: Venice.
Veneto offers numerous combinations of microclimates, thanks to the Dolomites blocking cold temperatures from central Europe. No other region boasts such winemaking diversity in such close proximity.
From hearty reds to fragrant sparklers, these radically unique expressions are representative of what drives Italy’s global wine success. Geography might help explain why this region is home to so many individual pockets of wine but it is especially the agricultural and entrepreneurial spirit of its people to make this area one of the leading wine making region in the world.
Marche
Located in central Italy between the Apennines and the Adriatic, the region enjoys a very varied landscape going from mountains through hills to beautiful beaches.
In the hinterland there are fine, ancient medieval villages, whereas the centers along the coast are mostly modern, and suited to summer tourism, thanks to the low waters and fine sandy beaches.
Agriculture relies mostly on vegetables, olive trees and vineyards.
The cool microclimate and the calcareous sandstone soil allow the production of long lived wines with a great balance between structure, depth, freshness and elegance.
Abruzzo
The Abruzzo region is situated halfway up the “boot”, facing the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennine Mountains to the west. Thought cartographically the area looks to be centrally located, it has historically been considered part of the southern territory.
Wine production is concentrated to the areas bordering the Marche to the north, the Molise to the south, and the terrain below the Apennine Mountains. The Montepulciano grape varietal has been flourishing in the Abruzzo region since the 18th century.
