Wines of Italy: An Introduction

• PHOTOS

Led by a trained sommelier, our Wines of Italy tasting is an in depth tutorial in wine history, technique and appreciation. As an integral part of Italian culture, to understand wine is to understand a part of the Italian soul and millenarian traditions linking people to their land and its gastronomic traditions.

During the course of the walk, we will visit two characteristic enoteche, or wine bars, where locals congregate to imbibe, snack and socialize. The docent will start with an overview of the history of wine making and the basics of production, including the importance of the production calendar, from the grape harvest, the vendemmia, to the autumnal appearance of the year's vino novello, or young wines. The docent will help you navigate the wine lists and explain the characteristics of each region's important varietals and the importance of food pairing. In pairing a selection of wines with appetizers, the group will have the opportunity to explore the local region around Rom

Led by a trained sommelier, our Wines of Italy tasting is an in depth tutorial in wine history, technique and appreciation. As an integral part of Italian culture, to understand wine is to understand a part of the Italian soul and millenarian traditions linking people to their land and its gastronomic traditions.

During the course of the walk, we will visit two characteristic enoteche, or wine bars, where locals congregate to imbibe, snack and socialize. The docent will start with an overview of the history of wine making and the basics of production, including the importance of the production calendar, from the grape harvest, the vendemmia, to the autumnal appearance of the year's vino novello, or young wines. The docent will help you navigate the wine lists and explain the characteristics of each region's important varietals and the importance of food pairing. In pairing a selection of wines with appetizers, the group will have the opportunity to explore the local region around Rome or, instead, go farther afield to sample wines from Tuscany, Sicily, or Le Marche. We usually start with whites at the first stop, then reds at the second, with appetizers to keep us going all along.

Although you should come away from the walk knowing the difference between a Chianti and a Fiano, the emphasis is on learning to enjoy Italian wines and observing, through tasting, how they reflect and encapsulate Italian culture itself.

If you have already participated in this tasting session and are interested in exploring wine bars in a different area of Rome, you may be interested in our Wines of Italy: A Comparative Tasting.