Dec 18, 2023

A pure excellence, entirely Made in Italy: wine

It is one of the major global exports and a source of national pride. Italian wine is a banner of excellence recognized worldwide – a direct expression of Italian identity in its finest tradition: artisanal skill, scenic beauty, taste and refinement, and the richness of heritage. An Italian label tells the story of all this: exclusivity, in the form of excellence down to the smallest detail. Italy encompasses a myriad of cultural and natural landscapes, flavors, and stories. If we consider that to make a difference, in the most appreciated beverage by Italians, all it takes is a corner of exposure, the height of the vine, a vineyard’s distance, it is easy to grasp how rich and multifaceted the offer of wines made in Italy is. Not to mention the variables of cultivation, production, and aging. In this article, we will be in touch with the charm of the oenology of the Bel Paese, focusing on the most appreciated productions within and beyond national borders, until we attempt to answer a question: what is the most famous Italian wine in the world?

What is the most popular wine in Italy?

Determining the most produced wine in Italy can be less straightforward than expected. In a country so rich in geographical and cultural diversity, such records are as fascinating as they are complex to ascertain. Italy boasts an unparalleled variety of native grape varieties, each with its own uniqueness – a reflection of the richness and heterogeneity that characterizes the country, from the softness of the Tuscan hills to the warm horizons of Sicily.

To help narrow down the options, according to data from a study conducted by IRI (an institute specializing in market analysis) in collaboration with Vinitaly, these are the most produced and sold Italian labels. At the top of the list is Chianti; not surprisingly, Sangiovese is the most cultivated grape variety in Italy. Among the most appreciated Italian wines abroad are the great products of Nebbiolo from the Langhe region, with a particular focus on Barolo. The king of wines in its DOCG denomination conquers the taste of the global wine market, with over 61 million bottles sold in 2022. All strictly coming from the fortunate municipalities of Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, La Morra, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, Diano d’Alba, Cherasco, and Roddi. The territory is as delimited in its geographical boundaries as it is extensive in oenological culture. An excellence that is a direct expression of the Piedmontese territory – of character and structure, of history and mastery – that conquers the most discerning palates year after year.

Umbria: The Italian Region with for all wine enthusiasts

In the green heart of Italy, Umbria is a true haven for wine enthusiasts. The region, renowned for its hilly landscapes and medieval villages, is a land rich in oenological tradition, a stronghold of Italian wine culture.

The Umbrian climate is characterized by mild winters and hot, dry summers, with significant temperature fluctuations and good rainfalls – perfect conditions for wines with character that leave a lasting impression. The region boasts highly sought-after wines, both white and red. Among these, Sagrantino and Sangiovese stand out.

Similar to wines from the Piedmont region, these wines easily attain high standards of elegance and structure, with a strong international appeal. These are characteristics shared by the territorial products of Umbria and Piedmont, despite their marked specificity. While the Umbrian hills host flourishing and generous vineyards, the Piedmontese Langhe region is the homeland of wines of rare complexity and body. Among these, the undisputed king is Barolo, a red wine of great prestige, known for its intense ruby color and diverse aromas of roses, dandelion, and wild berries. The Piedmontese wine tradition is built on centuries of experience, and winemakers share with their Umbrian compatriots an emphasis on the concept of terroir and the passionate tradition of vineyard work – the narrative of the territory unfolds in every sip from the glass.

The most famous Italian wines in Europe and Worldwide

Italy, with its variety of terroirs and respect for the most specific winemaking traditions, is a true oenological powerhouse. From the ethereal bubbles of sparkling wine to the deep tones of Barolo, Italian wines, with their versatility and complexity, captivate the palates of connoisseurs in Europe and beyond. If you’re wondering which Italian wine is the most famous in the world, the answer can only be “more than one”.

The great reds of the Bel Paese are famous and recognized everywhere for their decisive, enterprising attitude, typically Italian in character. To determine the most well-known Italian wine globally, we would need to explore the precious cellars of Valpolicella and Montepulciano, Chianti, Brunello, and the iconic Barolo. It is precisely this red wine that reminds of the tricolor flag in the eyes of the foreign market. A bottle of high stature – the ultimate expression of Nebbiolo grapes and the Langhe region – of a rare intensity, the result of rigorous regulations that affect the entire production chain. From cultivation to bottling, through aging in barrels, the fascination of Barolo is built at every stage of the winemaking process. Attention to detail that wins the favor of international connoisseurs, transcending fashion and market trends.

Wines in Piedmont

Piedmont is one of those regions where the magic of Italian wine comes to life. A place that combines tradition with myth, landscape with mastery, and distills all this richness into an oenological offering that is unparalleled. It all starts with the grape: the Nebbiolo grape – with those wisps of bloom that evoke the mist over the Langhe hills, they say. It is from Nebbiolo that the two great protagonists of Piedmont’s oenological history originate: Barolo and Barbaresco. These are structured, powerful, noble wines that lend themselves to slow tastings and gradual aging. Barolo, in particular, expresses the Italian art that makes attention to raw materials and processing a banner of pride. The use of only Nebbiolo grapes in purity, the requirements in terms of exposure and altitude of the vine, and the aging process of 38 months, which becomes 62 in the Riserva version – all these ingredients contribute to forming the myth behind Barolo, even before the tasting.

For these reasons, the protagonist of Piedmont’s oenological heritage earns a mention among the best Italian products to import from Italy. In the end, the classic reds of Piedmont have the power to unite in a bottle the authentic and noble heritage of Italy with the most refined demands of the international market.

France and Italy: two global wine leaders

What is the world’s top wine-producing Country? Here is a record shared, or contested, between two nations.

In a millennia-old dialogue, France and Italy stand as pillars of global wine production. These two Countries, each with its own oenological heritage, dominate the panorama of wines. They are the nations that, more than others, safeguard a tradition that moves between culture and experimentation.

But let’s look at the data: according to Coldiretti’s survey, in 2023 – for the first time in several years – estimates for the harvest see French production surpassing the Italian one. With the explanation of more efficient resistance to drought, the expected production favors France with 45 million hectoliters compared to Italy’s 43 million. There are a couple of other details to clarify, highlighted by the same research. In France, Italian wines are increasingly popular: +18% in the first six months of 2023. From Italian production, excellent quality is also expected, bolstered by the 635 varieties registered in the vine registry (double compared to the French) among D.O.C.G., D.O.C., and I.G.T. labels.

Beyond the data, the question of which Country is the homeland of wine is a perennial debate among winemakers and enthusiasts worldwide. If the differences between labels are important, so are – perhaps even more so – the aspects in common: the authentic vineyard culture, care for the territory, the unquenchable passion for the oenological art. These are great wines that carry Italian heritage to the world, starting with Barolo to which we are most attached: an excellence of Made in Italy, a pride of the winemaking industry.

VISIT THE
WINERY

The Boroli cellars, located in Castiglione Falletto, are the perfect place to experience the magical territory of the Langhe through tasting experiences and to enjoy an unforgettable experience of discovery and great wine.