Italy is one of the countries in which a huge amount of wine is produced. According to the rating of the production of this alcoholic beverage, it takes second place in the world. Italy sometimes surpasses the world leader - France. This country, according to ancient tradition, collects alcoholic beverages and stores them in its wine cellars. Winemaking among Italians thrives on climate and product quality. Over the past decade, Italy has increased its export of wine abroad by tens of times.
A favorable climate positively affects the production of an incredible amount of wine product. Italian wines have hundreds of items. This country produces both cheap and expensive wine. Grapes are grown in almost all parts of the country, it has about 255 varieties. Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Pinot, Grillo Nebbiolo - one of the most popular varieties. The most famous among lovers of strong drinks are Italian red wines. They differ in a wide variety in comparison with other wine drinks. They are made from different varieties and are characterized by all kinds of bouquets.
White varieties contain herbal notes, they also have a unique taste. This drink is preferred to serve with fish or other fish dishes. The product in white is the second largest producer in the world.
The legend of wine
There is a legend that the god Bacchus on arrival in the eastern lands noticed a plant on the island of Naxos. He decided to bring it home, so he took one sprout with him. For an unknown but surprising reason, the sprout began to grow in Bacchus's hands. Seeing this, he placed it in a bird's bone. And then, when the grape began to grow, transplanted it into a lion bone. And when the tree grew, the turn of the donkey bone came. After that, he harvested and made a hop drink from the juice. Wine supposedly had an interesting effect on a person. At first he sang like a bird, then became strong like a lion, but eventually turned into a donkey.
According to some reports, wine was produced for more than six thousand years BC. This drink has a rich history, it was mentioned in ancient legends and ancient stories. The wine comes from the word Vena and is translated into Russian as "favorite."
As the ancient Egyptian myth says, once the sun god Ra presented wine as a gift to the long-suffering Earth. It was assumed that this was done to protect against the wrath of the goddess Hathor. According to mythology, wine was able to resurrect people.
Another myth is evidenced by sources from ancient Greece. It tells about a sheep who was leaving the flock and eating strange berries of an unknown plant. The shepherd noticed this and decided to take them to his master Oinis. After trying, Oinis realized that he was slightly intoxicated by berry juice. Then he presented an unusual drink as a gift to Dionysus.
Thus, Dionysus became the god of wine. In honor of him, a whole holiday was created. At this event, Dionysus could afford anything. He managed to smash the class partition between people.
Wine from the Past
The traditions of winemaking were brought to the Apennine Peninsula by the Greeks, even before the unification of the Roman tribes into a large empire. Then the Roman Empire conquered Greece, taking all the winemaking traditions. This was the beginning of the wine era. The lands of Italy had many rulers. And each of them competed with others in the quality of wine making.
In Italy, the famous original drink is produced by certain categories of entrepreneurs who own small land in the amount of not more than one hectare. Therefore, the country, which has more than ten thousand such possessions, is in second place in the production of good quality wine.
Varieties of grape varieties
Merlot is a variety that gives the wine a rich and dark red color, similar to pomegranate. The main notes of taste are sweet cherry, plum, chocolate.
Cabernet Franc is a black grape variety that makes classic wine. Aromas of herbs, fruits, violets and berries prevail.
Cabernet Sauvignon - a variety of red wine with an exquisite aroma of pepper and various spices. All wines made from this variety are different. It depends on the producing region of the country. This wine produces good Italian wine.
In 1963, Italy created laws that helped increase the production of wine products and improve its quality. The same rules were introduced in France. Thus, Italy began to differ not only in quantity, but also in the quality of wine production.
Italian wine is divided into four categories, not important. This separation has been approved by law. The classification is given below . The wines of Italy are excellent in taste.
Vino da tavola
Vino da Tavola is one of the categories of homemade table and cheap wine. It was produced in inexpensive packaging, usually it was paper cups or bags. Served in restaurants and in ordinary cheap establishments. Belonged to the class of draft. Since 1996, these products have been bottled, indicating the brand of the manufacturer and the color of the wine. It began to be sold in private stores and restaurants as a local brand.
Doc
Wine DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is the next category. The translation of this name is “name control by place of origin”. This includes more expensive wines. They are made from selected grape varieties. In order for the wine to deserve its relevance to this category, it is tested at various prestigious tastings. If this product is approved, and it exceeded its quality in taste, then the product falls into the next DOCG class. DOC wines are light and slightly carbonated.
Docg
DOCG wine, what is it? It stands for “control and guarantee of the appellation of origin. One of the classifications of Italian wines. It belongs to the category of expensive products. This category has earned prizes among other wines. It is considered an elite, closed classification of Italian wines. In 1996, the number of types did not exceed 14. On today their number has increased to 35. Now you know that DOCG is wine for the elite.
These drinks are subject to strict state checks. After tasting, they are numbered, each bottle has its own personal number. Numbering has two colors. For red wines - pink, for white - green.
IGT
IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) translated into Russian "typical geographical name", more precisely, local wine produced from original grape varieties. If you look, these are the same table wines. But among the table cheap wine, prestigious ones can also be caught. Control over this type of product is not thorough, but still exists. This is a category of democratic wine. It does not apply to any product brand. Production does not have special technologies and grades. Production is carried out exclusively at will. Wine category IGT Italy takes 20% of the total wine production. This is due to its recent appearance in the country's markets.
Italy wine brands
What are they like?
- Bardolino (Bardolino). Dry red wine, which goes well with various side dishes, such as: poultry, pasta with sauce, pork, veal. The price of the product is from 3 to 5 euros per bottle.
- Barolo. Royal wine, the most famous. It is aged in oak barrels for 3 years or longer. The price of the product depends on the number of years spent in barrels, that is, the longer, the more expensive. From 50 to 200 euros per bottle. Great for meat and cheese.
- Chianti. Red famous wine. It is made in Florence. Served with caviar and roast. There are seven Chianti production regions, each making it differently. The price for a bottle is from 10 to 50 euros. Ideal for caviar and meat.
- Chardonnay. White wine is produced in Friuli Trentino. It has a special taste. Very famous in the world market. Served with fish products.
- Frascati (Frascati). Dry white wine from southern Italy. Suitable for quenching thirst in hot weather.
- Barbaresco (Barbaresco). The product has a coffee color. Wild berries and plums make its taste unique. Buying such wine in stores is almost impossible. It is produced at home and at will.
Conclusion
So we learned about the wines of Italy, classification, features. Each product and its taste meet their requirements and quality. This country knows how to make wine. To try a good Italian drink, you need to spend a significant amount of money on it.
Italian products have always been appreciated and appreciated in the world market. If you have not tasted good Italian wine made with soul, then you have everything ahead.