This variety stems from the politically disparate states of Italy, which were only united in 1861 and which in many cases still maintain a strong sense of independence. An interesting example is Alto-Adige which was under German rule for much of the last 200 years and which produces wines with a distinctly Germanic feel.

From Sangiovese to Trebbiano and the wide multicultural variations that lie in between, navigating the wine shop shelves to find an Italian wine that will complement a Friday night lasagna can be a fun-filled experience - if you are armed with a little Italian wine knowledge.

While Italy has successfully planted the vast majority of the dominant international grapes, the country's domestic vines are what offer the true flavor characteristics that have made Italian wines world renowned for ages. With literally hundreds of wines produced in Italy annually, it is no wonder that selecting Italian wines can be a bit intimidating. Deciphering Italian wine terms and names, interpreting Italian wine labels , learning Italian wine classification systems, understanding regional grape growing zones , and discerning grapes that do not always fall into the familiar category are all part of the Italian wine adventure.