3+1 Italian Summer Wines I Can't Live Without!
Italian wines are often my go-to choice! There are just so many styles and unique grapes to choose from. Yet, in a country shaped both by rich heritage and a strong commercial drive, some wines just manage to stand out as the perfect summer wines!
Of course, you can use VinoVoss to find the wines that fit your style the best! Looking up “Italian summer wine” on VinoVoss will give you a diverse selection of wines to choose from. You can then fine-tune your search to perfectly match your palate.
But please allow me to also share some personal favourites!
#1 - Brachetto - The Misunderstood One
What's not to love about Brachetto! This northern Italian gem, originating from Piedmont, is the ultimate summer drink. Either produced in a rosé or red version, one thing is certain: there are bubbles involved!
Brachetto has low alcohol, often less than 6% that's coupled with a bit of natural sweetness. Its flavours are vibrant and juicy, full of strawberry and cherry notes, amplified but the generous mousse. Drink it chilled as an aperitif and you won't be able to get enough!
#2 - Campania Whites - The Emerging Volcanic Wines
Wine lovers just love getting geeky on soil types. Limestone, schist and - more recently - volcanoes are always popping up in oenophile conversations. Campania, the province of Napoli, offers some of the best value for money volcanic wines out there.
What's more, there is an incredible diversity of local grapes to discover. In the summer, I like to explore the white wines of Campania. They are incredibly food-friendly, so they accompany a lazy summer lunch perfectly, before an afternoon nap.
The main Campania grape varieties are Falanghina, Greco and Fiano. Each of these grapes is closely associated with its origin, so once you find your favorite, you can dig more into the nuances expressed by its different origins.
You can also give a try to even rarer indigenous grapes of this underexplored wine region, such as Pallagrello Bianco or Biancolella
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#3 - Lugana - The Overshadowed Sparkling
Lugana is a small wine region in Northern Italy, located on the south bank of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. With a vineyard area of just 2.500 ha, it's struggling to make an impact in the wine world - especially considering neighboring Prosecco has a whopping 36.000 ha!
The wines of Lugana are made with Verdicchio, also known as Turbiana, Trebbiano di Lugana or Trebbiano di Soave. You can tell a grape is good when each region wants to claim it as its own.
Many wine styles are produced from Verdicchio in Lugana, with most of the producers focusing on refreshing still wines. However, in my opinion, the most exciting wines are sparkling. Admittedly, they are rarer to find, but you'll be rewarded with a perfect texture and unique flavours of this amazing grape.
Bonus: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
If you're like me, absolutely impressed with the Verdicchio grape variety, you can also explore its more classic expressions. The region of Marche, especially Castelli di Jesi, is the cradle of Verdicchio, delivering wines that are as impressive, but richer than Lugana.
Classic Italian wines are always a great choice, but these underdogs will certainly fit your tastebuds this summer. Explore VinoVoss to find your next favorite bottle, with no frustration!
Evmorfia Kostaki
