Collection: Italian Wine

Italian wine has an excellent reputation, and rightfully so. If you think of drinking a glass of wine, Italy is one of the countries that immediately comes to mind. Wine is part of the country’s identity and plays a huge role in its culture. Italian producers make wine in every region in Italy, and Italy produces more wine than any other country in the world. The country even surpasses the production of French wines and Spanish wines.

Italy has a long history of cultivating vineyards. The reason is that Italy has the perfect conditions and climate to grow grapes. While Greek settlers were the first winemakers in southern Italy a few thousand years ago, the Romans produced wine on a large scale and stored it in barrels and bottles. Their methods ultimately laid the foundation for the delicious wines we can enjoy today.

Today, Italian wine is famous around the world. No matter if you order a glass of red, white, or sparkling wine, there is always something to suit your taste. Popular wine regions are Veneto, Tuscany, Puglia, Alto Adige, and Piedmont.

Italy is also the birthplace of Prosecco. In case you are joining a wedding, party, or get together, you will often find yourself holding a glass of sparkling wine. This can either be champagne such as Moet & Chandon if it’s really exclusive or Prosecco, often used instead of champagne. Prosecco is getting more and more popular because it is much more affordable and similar in taste.

Browse our page to find your favourite Italian wine. And if you are further looking for other wines, beers, or spirits, have a look at our extensive selection of beverages. Our spirit section includes vodka, whiskeys, gin, rum, brandy, and liqueurs. We also deliver to your door because our alcohol delivery services are spread across Australia. We happily deliver to cities like Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane.

What is special about Italian wines?

Many things make Italian wine special. Every Italian winemaker is proud of being a part of the country’s culture. For that reason, they craft wines that have extremely high-quality. About 40% of the production have either DOC or DOCG status, which are the top classifications for the best Italian wines.

Another thing that makes Italian wines special is the wide variety of grapes. Italy has more than 350 grapes with authorised status and 500 other documented varieties. While this makes it a tad harder to get to know all the different types of Italian wine, you will definitely enjoy the journey of tasting your way through the various regions.

And if you think of pairing wine from Italy with food, there is no better match than wine and pasta. This combination is the ultimate symbol of true delicacy. A tomato-based pasta pairs well with a medium-bodied red wine. If you have seafood or vegetable-based pasta, choose a light-bodied white wine. Even for dishes that don’t use pasta, you will find the perfect Italian wine to serve with.

How to serve Italian wines?

Depending on the wine you choose, make sure to serve it the right way. It is as important how you serve your wine as what you serve to your guests. Serving wine in plastic cups is as bad as serving it at the wrong temperatures because you destroy its flavours and aromas.

Sparkling wines such as Proseccos benefit the most from cooling. The right temperature for the bubbly wine is between 7 and 10°C which brings out the acidity and citrus flavours. Put the sparkling wine in the fridge for around two hours to chill it and serve it in tall flutes to keep the bouquet and creamy texture.

White wines, as well as rosé wines, should be served around 10 to 13°C. This range ensures that you maintain the freshness and acidity of Italian wine. The perfect glass is the stemmed glass with a U-shape bowl which effortlessly captures all the rich fruit aromas. The small opening keeps the wine cooler, and its rim directs the wine to the front of the palette. Whites should sit in the fridge between one and one and a half hours. You can also use a bucket filled with ice and water to chill the wines you stored on a rack.

Ultimately, red wines are served best between 13 and 18°C and not at room temperature. The reason is that the aromas and flavours of red wine come out best at these temperatures. A chianti-style glass or a wide-bowled glass is the proper glassware to serve Italian red wine. To cool it down, put the wine in the fridge for about 30 to 60 minutes.

Can Italian wines be used in cooking?

The simple answer is yes, Italian wine can be used for cooking. Wine usually enhances and intensifies the flavours and aromas of your dish. You can use wine to marinate, boil, braise, and stew food. Cooks also use wine for steaming, blanching, and as added flavour to sauces.

Keep in mind that wine adds acidity to your sauce, and red wines with lots of tannins leave a bitter flavour. A good choice for cooking with red wine would be Merlot, Sangiovese, or Pinot Noir. An excellent white wine to cook with is Pinot Grigio. Moreover, make sure to refrain from wine labelled as cooking wine. The reason is that these wines contain sweeteners and lots of salt, which can make your dish extremely sweet or salty.