Wine
A Beginner's Guide to Italian Wine
Quick answer
Italy grows hundreds of grape varieties. Start with five, learn one rule about pairing, and you'll never feel lost with a wine list again.
Table of contents (3 sections)
Italian wine lists can look intimidating. The good news: a handful of names will carry you through almost any menu.
Five grapes to know
- Pinot Grigio — crisp, light white for antipasti and seafood.
- Vermentino — herby, coastal white that loves grilled prawns.
- Sangiovese — the red of Chianti; bright cherry and great with tomato.
- Nebbiolo — Barolo's grape; perfumed and powerful with truffle and red meat.
- Montepulciano — soft, juicy red that suits pizza perfectly.
The one pairing rule
What grows together goes together. A Tuscan red with a Tuscan ragù, a coastal white with seafood from the same shore — regional pairings rarely miss.
Frequently asked questions
Red or white with pasta?
Follow the sauce, not the pasta: white with butter, cream and seafood; red with tomato and meat.
