Italian wine

Italy boasts four of the twelve regions in the 2027 ranking of Europe's best wine regions, more than any other country. Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato occupy the top spot, in second place overall, followed by Chianti Rufina (5th), Etna (7th), and Valle d'Aosta (10th). The top spot on the podium, however, goes to a surprise: Štajerska, in Slovenia. The ranking is compiled by European Best Destinations, the portal that annually compiles some of the continent's most popular travel rankings.

A barrel cellar carved into rock 50 metres underground, a dome resembling a shell, a “Grape” overlooking the vine rows, and a pop-art façade shaped like two stacked wine crates. With the grape harvest behind them and vineyards turning autumnal shades, these wineries provide a full experience of design, scenery and wine tasting.

At the start of autumn, Italy prepares for the grape harvest. In this setting, grape and wine sagre — local food and wine festivals — are far more than simple village celebrations. They reflect centuries of winemaking tradition, celebrate the identity of each area and give visitors a taste of local food, music and popular culture.

It is neither a pub legend nor a temporary installation. In Abruzzo, there is a wine fountain that pours Montepulciano d’Abruzzo day and night, free of charge, for anyone who approaches with a glass. The Abruzzo wine fountain is a permanent feature within a working winery, created for walkers and travellers making their way through the coast and hills.

Living in an Italian wine region is very different to popping in for a tasting on holiday. Daily life runs on the rhythm of the vines, with tractors as your morning soundtrack and grape harvests filling the lanes in autumn.

Italian sparkling wine is a whole world beyond the usual Prosecco on the supermarket shelf. Italians talk about bollicine rather than “bubbly”, and each region has its own idea of what those bubbles should taste like. If you like Champagne‑style richness, there are proper traditional‑method wines.

If you ever needed an excuse to open a bottle of Italian wine, this is it.

Between the Alps and the islands, there are hundreds of appellations and thousands of wine producers in Italy.

There's a special moment at the end of a good Italian meal, when you're full and happy but not quite ready to leave the table. This is often when a small glass of something sweet and aromatic appears. In Italy, dessert wine isn't just an afterthought; it’s a cherished part of the dining culture.

Autumn marks the grape harvest, and there’s nothing quite like soaking in the enchanting atmosphere among Italy's vineyards. Italy boasts an incredible wine heritage, with its rolling hills, plains, and terraced landscapes offering stunning backdrops for excellent wine production.

In 2019, the production of wine sold in the European Union (including sparkling wine, port and grape must) reached almost 16 billion litres.

Welcome to Montepulciano: a little, medieval town built in Tuscany (Italy), surrounded by vineyards and picture-perfect countryside, the Val di Chiana and the Val d’Orcia.