Italy is known for its rich and diverse wine culture, and for good reason. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sunny shores of Sicily, there are countless regional specialties to try. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to some of the best red wines to sample on a tasting tour of Italy. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply looking to expand your palate, these recommendations are sure to delight. So grab a glass and let’s begin our wine journey through bella Italia.
If you’ve ever dreamed of touring Italy’s winemaking regions but don’t have the resources to make the trip, you can experience the country’s diverse viniculture from the comfort of your own home with a few premium selections. From Lamole di Lamole to Cantina Mesa and Masi, Italy’s vineyards offer a range of styles that cater to every wine lover’s taste.
Lamole di Lamole is an area in Italy known for its harsh, mountainous terrain. Despite the challenges of growing grapes in this region, the Lamole di Lamole vineyard produces a full line of Chianti Classico wines that vary in style, from Normale to Riserva and Gran Selezione. To ensure the best quality grapes, each vine is tended with great care and attention, and the result is a range of wines that showcase the hardiness of the vines and the ruggedness of the soil.
The Maggiolo Chianti Classico is a standout wine from the Lamole di Lamole vineyard, blending four vineyard sites and three grape varieties. The Sangiovese is fermented separately and aged in large, neutral casks, while the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are aged in year-old barriques. The resulting wine is earthy and fruity with subtle oak notes, and pairs perfectly with classic Italian dishes.
Another top-notch Chianti Classico Riserva from Lamole di Lamole is the Lareale, made from native Italian red grapes Sangiovese and Canaiolo. The blend is aged for 24 months in barrels and another three months in the bottle, resulting in complex dried fruit, spice, and leather aromas. This bold wine is a perfect complement to rich, savory dishes such as mushroom risotto or creamy chicken tarragon.
Cantina Mesa, founded in 2004, is all about getting people together around the dinner table, and their Buio Buio wine is the perfect accompaniment. Made from 100 percent old-vine Carignan, or Carignano on Sardinia, this wine is dark and inky, with ripe red fruit aromas and savory notes that highlight the freshness of Sardinia. Pair it with roasted meats and rich herbs for a truly delightful experience.
Masi, founded in 1772, is steeped in history and tradition. The Boscaini family has been passing down their winemaking knowledge from generation to generation, making them experts in the appassimento technique, a classic method in the region used to naturally dry grapes by allowing air to “pass over” them for an extended period of time, resulting in intensely flavored Amarone wines.
One of Masi’s top wines is the Campofiorin, which refers to the vineyard in the Marano Valley in Italy’s Veneto region. This wine uses the appassimento method, combining semi-dried grapes with fresh grape juice to create a balanced, flavorful wine with intense aromas of red cherry, raspberry, clove, and nutmeg. Pair it with rich, umami dishes like bolognese or grilled pork chops.
Masi Costasera is another standout wine from the Valpolicella Classica region, aged for 28 to 30 months in Slavonian and French barrels to achieve a rounded, complex, and concentrated tannin structure. This is a bold Amarone that pairs perfectly with rich, hearty dishes such as stews or roasted meat.
These premium Italian selections offer a range of styles to suit every palate, from the hardy, rugged flavors of Lamole di Lamole to the sophisticated complexity of Masi’s Amarone wines. Take a tour of Italy’s winemaking regions from your own home and experience the bounty of the Italian vineyards for yourself.
