The Best Wines to Try in Italy: An Insider’s Guide to Drinking Like a Local

Italians do it better—and this is not only true when it comes to food, but also with wine. There’s no other country like Italy that has such a diverse wine scene. As a country with more than 400 indigenous grape varieties, Italy has so much to offer. Aside from the household names like Chianti, the Montepulciano on your neighborhood trattoria’s wine list, or the Brunello di Montalcino you saved for a special occasion, there’s an entire world of Italian wine waiting to be explored. So, if you’re travelling to Italy and don’t know what Italian wines to drink, or you want to explore more about the country’s rich wine culture, here’s your expert guide to the best wines to try in Italy.

Drink Classic

Classics are classics for a good reason. Some iconic Italian wines earned their reputation by conquering the palates of wine lovers and wine connoisseurs all over the world, and across generations. And when you’re in Italy, you get to taste these classics at their roots. Here are some classic Italian wines you should try, and probably have already tried or at least heard of.

Chianti

Hannibal says, "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." The Simpsons travelled to Pisa, ate at McDonald’s, and had a bottle of Chianti. Featuring vibrant red berries, cherries, Mediterranean herbs, and sometimes a bit of leathery notes, Chianti makes it hard to resist. Made with a majority of Sangiovese grapes, this Italian red has a medium body, supple tannins, and bright acidity. It goes well with a variety of dishes, especially tomato-sauce-based Italian cuisine—but is also approachable enough for sipping by itself.

Pro tip: If you’d like something richer and bolder, instead of a basic Chianti, go for a Chianti Riserva.

Barolo

There’s no doubt that Barolo is the king of Italian wines. The reputation comes from its incredible complexity and longevity. The Nebbiolo grapes, light in color, surprise you with a firm, muscular structure. Expect wild berry fruits, dried rose petals, and earthy notes. It is a wine that you can keep for a decade or more. So, if you want something serious, complex, and with a big structure, Barolo is your wine. And it’s extremely good with truffles and mushroom dishes!

Pro tip: If you’d like something more accessible than a Barolo, in both taste profile and budget, try a Langhe Nebbiolo instead.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello rivals Barolo for its money as the king. Made with 100% Sangiovese and from the rolling hills of Tuscany, Brunello is another iconic Italian wine with great aging potential. Rich and bold, offering red and dark fruits, tobacco, leather, and herbs—it’s a perfect wine for meat dishes, like a bistecca fiorentina.

Pro tip: Like Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino also has firm tannins that might feel too strong in its youth for some palates. If you want something easier and more affordable, have a Rosso di Montalcino instead.

Amarone

The word “Amarone” derives from the Italian word “amaro”, which means “bitter,” but there’s nothing bitter about Amarone. With the full name Amarone della Valpolicella, it’s an opulent red wine from the Veneto region in northern Italy. The winemaking process is unique: the grapes go through an air-drying process called “appassimento” to concentrate the flavors. That’s why Amarone offers notes of dark fruit, chocolate, and dried fig, usually with a high alcohol level. It’s a perfect wine for a rich meal or colder weather.

Pro tip: If you like the dried fruit and jammy flavors of Amarone but want something lighter, try a Ripasso, it’s often dubbed “the baby Amarone.”

Drink Local

As we always say: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. The classics are great, but they often come with a hefty price tag and need time and patience for the wine to reach its full potential. So, what should we do? Drink as the Romans (the locals) do!

The local wines not only offer the best value for the price, but also provide the most authentic drinking experience of the region. Plus, regional wines are usually the best pairing for regional dishes.

When in Rome…

The region Rome is located in—Lazio—with a name derived from Latium, may not be as famous in the wine world as Tuscany or Piedmont. However, the region does offer a few delicious wines.

Orvieto, made in the Lazio/Umbria area, is a dry, refreshing white wine that’s perfect for an aperitif or light dishes. Forget about Pinot Grigio—you’ll find ripe citrus, stone fruit, and a smooth mouthfeel in Orvieto.

Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone—yes, you’re not reading it wrong, that’s the actual name. It’s a white wine from Lazio, known for being light, fresh, and slightly sparkling. You’ll find delicate aromas of pear, kumquat, and orange blossom, with a subtle smoky note on the finish. Very easy to drink and surprisingly pleasant.

Cesanese—if you’d like to have a red wine, this is Lazio’s best-kept secret. The wine offers dark fruit flavors like plum and ripe berries, with hints of pepper and spice. The supple tannin makes it eminently drinkable. It’s a wine you most likely won’t easily find at home, so definitely try it when you’re in Rome.

And if you travel elsewhere in Italy, drink like a local there too:

If you go to Naples, try a Fiano or a Taurasi.

If you go to Puglia, try the Primitivo (it’s genetically identical to Zinfandel in the US).

If you go to Sicily, try the Nero d’Avola, and the Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco from volcanic soil.

If you go to Lake Como or Lake Garda, try a Lugana.

And if you’re like me, into lesser-known destinations, have a glass of Cirò if you visit Calabria.

The diversity of Italian wines is something I can’t stop talking about! And if all these wine names feel overwhelming, just ask the staff for something local. It will make them smile. And of course, you can find most of the country’s famous wine styles in Rome!

The Rosé, the Bubbly, and the Vino di Meditazione

But if you’re having brunch in Italy, it may feel inappropriate to drink a glass of Champagne or a Provence rosé. Don’t worry—I have you covered.

Instead of Champagne, go for a Franciacorta. It’s Italy’s answer to Champagne. Made with similar grape varieties and using the same production method, with second fermentation in bottle, Franciacorta offers the same elegant drinking experience with delicate flavors and fine bubbles.

And of course, there’s always Prosecco. This crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking sparkling wine that’s become a global darling.

For rosé—let’s say it in Italian, rosato—try a Salento Rosato from the heel of Italy. It has a beautiful, true pink color, deeper than the salmon-colored Provence rosé, offering juicy red fruits, strawberries, and watermelon. Something you don’t want to miss.

For the sweet tooth, Moscato is a lovely semi-sweet wine with a slight effervescence. If you want a true dessert wine to pair with dessert or cheese, ask for a vino liquoroso. In Italian, it’s not liquor, it’s a dessert wine. Italians even call dessert wine “vino di meditazione”, meaning “the wine for meditation.”

Low-Calorie, Vegan-Friendly Wines

Yes, travelling in EATaly can be tough. With all those carb-rich dishes, it’s difficult to keep track of your calorie intake, even if you walk 15,000 steps a day.

If you want to sip wine without feeling too much guilt, opt for a low-calorie option. Calories in wine come mainly from alcohol content, not sugar. Luckily, most wines in Italy are dry. Try a wine with 13% ABV or even lower. For a standard 120ml serving, a 12% ABV wine has 20 fewer calories than a 15% ABV wine!

For vegan-friendly options, go for unfined and unfiltered wines, which usually come from smaller producers. There are wine bars and shops that specialize in artisanal wines, offering better selections of organic and vegan-friendly wines.

A Few Tips for Buying and Ordering Wine in Italy

In a restaurant or wine bar, there are usually a few options by the glass—you can order by glass or by bottle. You can also politely ask for a small sip to try first.

Italian wine labels can be difficult, even for professionals, so don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from the staff or sommelier. Tell them what you're eating or what kinds of flavors you like (or dislike).

There are many wine shops in both big cities and small towns. They usually have a wide selection of wines, and you can often find high-quality bottles for as little as 5 euros!

If you want to buy wine, try shops that are a few steps away from major tourist attractions—the ones right next to landmarks are usually more expensive.