Italians drink wine every day. No matter the region, wine is an essential piece to the many cultures of Italy. What makes wine so culturally significant? Italy has been making wine for centuries and it is home to some of the oldest-wine producing regions in the world…the earliest of winemaking can be traced to the Greek introduction to Sicily in 800 BC. Italy exports a great amount of its wine as well, providing the world with unique, quality, and delicious wines!
The geography of Italy’s 20 regions have created a perfect recipe for wine production. Within the (relatively small) peninsula there are major rivers, mountain ranges, long coastlines on both sides, central Europe to the North, and Northern Africa to the South. The presence of the Alps in the North as well as the hilly terrain throughout the country provides a variety of altitudes for grape growing and diversifies the conditions of the soils. Piemonte is an excellent representation of geography’s effects on wine production. For example, both Barolo and Barbaresco wines are made close by within Piemonte with Nebbiolo grapes and yet their flavors and bodies differ still.
Winemaking in Italy is an art. From the soil to the bottle, each step in the process is done with great care and attention to detail. The establishment of DOC and DOP (wines with Protected/Controlled Designation of Origin), regulations factor into the quality of Italian wines. The aging of the wine is also pivotal for producing quality wine in Italy. Many wines need 3-4 years of aging, and the wines are often better-drinking 10-15 years after vintage!
Though our experience in Italy was cut short, I was able to gain some understanding of Italian wine culture. Italy’s history has roots in wine, dating back to the Romans who made lots of wine, and drank much more. I have come to appreciate the unique geography that Italy works with to make the world’s best wines. Cooking is also a vital piece to Italy’s cultures. The food of the diverse cuisines provides a place for wines to be paired, which further strengthens the cultural significance of wine. Finally, the drinking culture in Italy is much different than the U.S., and even the rest of Europe. Italians have a great appreciation for the wine they drink. Wine drinking is about appreciating the origin of the wine, the people who produced it, how it was produced, and the array of flavors and aromas that come with tasting it. “Drinking” wine is more often not for the purpose of getting drunk, but more for the purpose of aesthetic appreciation and fulfillment. That is what separates Italian wine culture from the rest of the world!
Kerry's Food & Wine Adventures 