11 Most Popular Italian Wine Grapes (Characteristics, Best Bottles To Buy)

Italy is home to over 350 different wine grapes that produce exquisite wines like Barolo, Chianti Classico, Prosecco, and many more.

In this article, we’ll unearth the famous Italian wine grapes - we’ll explore 7 red grapes and 4 white wine grape varieties. We’ll also check out food pairings and the best Italian wine bottles to buy.

7 Popular Red Italian Wine Grapes

Here are Italy’s most incredible red wine grape varieties:

1. Sangiovese
2. Montepulciano
3. Barbera
4. Nebbiolo
5. Aglianico
6. Nero d'Avola
7. Primitivo

1. Sangiovese

The purple-skinned Sangiovese grape varieties are indigenous to Tuscany but are now planted widely across central Italy.

These native wine grapes produce the world’s most celebrated wines like Chianti Classico, the Vin Santo dessert wine, and the Tignanello Super Tuscan wine.

Sangiovese wines boast a subtle earthy aroma and a tart cherry flavor with dried herbs and red plum notes.

The typical Sangiovese red wine complements rare steaks and mushrooms.

Best Sangiovese Wines

• 2007 Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG ($1,126)
• 2016 Felsina Berardenga Rancia ($57)

2. Montepulciano

Montepulciano is grown widely across central Italy and is the country’s second most planted wine grape.   

The Montepulciano native wine grapes produce an Italian red wine style that displays sour cherry flavours and a dark fruit aroma with tobacco notes.

Pair any Montepulciano wine with beef brisket or roasted winter vegetables.

Best Montepulciano Wine bottles

• 2006 Azienda Agricola Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($400)
• 2020 Tenuta Ulisse '10 Vendemmie' Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($37)

3. Barbera

Indigenous to Piedmont, Barbera is Italy's third most planted grape variety. 

This dark-skinned berry produces an exquisite red wine style boasting full-bodied richness and good acidity. One of the famous Barbera wines is the Barbera d’Asti DOCG wine. 

The typical Barbera red wine showcases a unique licorice flavor with aromatic notes of red cherries and blackberries.

Pair your favorite Barbera Italian wine with rich meat, mushrooms, or root vegetables.     

Best Barbera Wines

• 2015 Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d'Alba ($79)
• 2019 Vietti 'Vigna Scarrone' Barbera d'Alba ($47)

4. Nebbiolo

The Nebbiolo grape variety originates from the hillsides of Piedmont. It produces two of the world’s most revered Italian red wines - Barolo and Barbaresco.  

Wines made from the Nebiolo grape variety offer an irresistible aroma of red fruits and a palate of cherry, coffee, and anise flavors.

Pair these irresistible drinks with delicious Italian food like spinach linguine.

Best Nebbiolo Wines

• 1990 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino ($2,215)
• 2013 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja ($89)

5. Aglianico

Aglianico is one of Italy's most widely planted red wine grape varieties. It is grown prominently in the vineyards of Campania and Basilicata in Southern Italy. 

The juicy Aglianico grape varieties produce wines that display a dark fruit flavor with a dusty, dried fig aroma. 

Alglianico red wines complement chicken, barbequed lamb, and other red meat dishes.   

The Best Aglianico Wine

• 2019 Elena Fucci 'Titolo' Aglianico del Vulture ($35) 

6. Nero d'Avola

Nero dAvola is a native grape variety that hails from Sicily, Southern Italy.   

The Nero dAvola grape produces remarkable red wine styles with an intense fruit flavor and a cherry aroma with subtle herbal notes. 

When it comes to food and wine pairing, Nero d'Avola wines complement rich meat and pasta.

Best Nero d’Avola Wines

• 2016 Donnafugata 'Mille e Una Notte' Contessa Entellina ($85)
• 2019 Donnafugata Sedara Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT ($12)

7. Primitivo

Primitivo is an early ripening grape variety that’s indigenous to Puglia.   

This Italian wine grape produces bold wines with a high alcohol content, a dark berry flavor, and a raspberry aroma with intense blackcurrant notes.   

Primitivo wines go exceptionally well with spit-roasted lamb and beetroot curry.

Best Primitivo Wines

• 2018 Gianfranco Fino 'Es' Primitivo di Manduria ($76)
• 2019 Vigneti del Salento Vigne Vecchie 'Leggenda' Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria ($19)   

Let’s now check out the 4 brilliant Italian white wine grapes.

4 Extraordinary White Italian Wine Grapes

These are the 4 fantastic Italian white wine grape varieties:

1. Trebbiano 
2. Pinot Grigio
3. Verdicchio
4. Pinot Bianco

1. Trebbiano 

There are almost six known Trebbiano varieties in Italy, and the Trebbiano Toscano is the most famous white wine grape variety. This extraordinary grape is grown widely in central Italy.

The Trebbiano Toscano native grape produces light-bodied wines with a citrus fruit aroma and white peach flavor. 

Pair your glass of Trebbiano Toscano wine with pickled sardines or any Italian food of your choice. 

Best Trebbiano Wines

• 2017 Azienda Agricola Valentini Trebbiano d'Abruzzo ($119)
• Petrolo 'Boggina B' Trebbiano Toscana IGT ($61)

2. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio belongs to the Pinot family, which comprises Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. This Italian white wine grape variety originated in Burgundy, France, and is now grown widely in Northern Italy.

The Pinot Grigio grape produces wines with an apple flavor and a citrusy aroma with grapefruit notes.

The wines’ fruity flavors complement pasta and risotto dishes.

Best Pinot Grigio Wines

• 2006 Gravner Anfora Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT ($140)
• 2019 Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio Friuli Isonzo ($38)

3. Verdicchio

Verdicchio is an acidic, versatile grape variety grown widely in central Italy. 

This succulent Italian white wine grape produces well-structured white wine styles with citrus flavors and a peach aroma. The grape is often used as the base for sparkling wine styles.        

Verdicchio wines pair well with prosciutto and potato-cheese puff pastries.

Best Verdicchio Wines

• 2017 La Staffa 'Selva Di Sotto' ($69)
• 2019 La Staffa 'Rincrocca' ($32)

4. Pinot Bianco

Pinot Bianco, a white genetic mutation of Pinot Noir, is grown in Fruili and Alto Adige, Northern Italy. This versatile grape produces sparkling, still, and dessert wine styles. 

The typical Pinot Bianco wine has an incredible peach aroma and fruity wine tasting notes of crisp pears.

Pinot Bianco wines are best enjoyed with soft cheeses and salads with creamy dressings.

Best Pinot Bianco Wines

• 2016 Kellerei Kaltern 'Kunst.Stuck' Weissburgunder ($59)
• 2019 Kellerei Meran Burggrafler Weissburgunder V Riserva Sudtirol - Alto Adige ($22)

So, how about adding some of these wines to your collection?

Buy Exquisite Italian Wines Through Vinovest!

Undoubtedly, Italy is one of the global leaders in wine production. The finest Italian wines boast luscious fruity flavours and addictive aromas, so they definitely deserve your attention.

And if you’re looking to invest in the best Italian wines, sign up on the Vinovest website today!

Vinovest is an AI-driven wine investment platform that helps you buy, store, and sell white wine, sparkling wine, sweet wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and other bottles from all over the world.