5 Italian Wines Worth Discovering (And How to Pair Them at Home)

For a country only slightly larger than the UK, Italy offers an astonishing diversity of wines. The challenge isn’t finding something good, it’s knowing where to start. With hundreds of indigenous grape varieties and a patchwork of regional identities, Italian wine can feel overwhelming.

That’s where we come in. Think of this as your curated guide to five standout Italian wines, along with simple food pairing ideas to help you create a restaurant-quality experience at home.

What Makes Italian Wines So Unique?

Italy’s rich culinary culture is deeply rooted in history. Although unified as a country in 1861, each region has retained its own traditions, dialects and crucially, its own approach to food and wine.

Therich food culture in Rome comes from the region’s deep history and long-standing traditions. Italy as we know it today didn’t exist as a unified country until 1861. Even hundreds of years later, each region has maintained its own unique approaches to food and wine.

Much of this is also shaped by the different climates that Italy encompasses. As famed sommelier André Hueston Mack breaks down inthis video, there are 20 Italian wine regions and over 500 different styles native to the country. If you compare the cool alpine climates of the North to the hot slopes of Tuscany, that begins to make more sense.

The terroir, or soils, play a big role too. Vineyards near Mount Etna, for example, grow in volcanic soils that have produced bright, citrusy wines, whereas the clay-limestone of Tuscany is behind the classic full-bodied Chianti. Italy encompasses a uniquely varied range of climates, and the wines are all the more interesting for it.

Five Italian Wines to Try at Home

We have an incredible selection of Italian wines on offer and here are five wines that showcase the breadth and character of Italian winemaking, along with pairing ideas to bring them to life at your table.

 

 

Tenuta Larame Tumlin Roero Rosso 2021

Piedmont – Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is one of many grape varietals found almost exclusively in Italy, and few bottles show it off better than the2021 Tumlin Roero Rosso from Tenuta Larame. The grapes in this wine are sourced from Roero Hill in Piedmont, Italy, and get their name from the “nebbia” or fog that rolls over the hills of this region during the autumn harvest months.

Aged for 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels, this wine has been given the perfect amount of time to develop floral, fruity aromas that develop into savoury, velvety flavours with spices and a light toast. 

Pair with: These notes tend to pair best with heartier dishes. Think slow-cooked stews in winter or a Sunday roast. It also goes well with aged cheeses and truffle-infused pastas.

 

Nals Margreid Chardonnay Kalk 2024

Trentino-Alto Adige – Chardonnay

Trentino-Alto Adige is one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, situated right against the Swiss and Austrian borders. The wine produced in the area is as influenced by the cool, Alpine air as it is by the blend of German and Italian culture there.

The region is particularly well known for producing interesting, aromatic white wines, such as the 2023 Nals Margreid Chardonnay Kalk. This full-bodied, unwooded Chardonnay has notes of ripe white peach and pear that finish off with a fresh mineral and herby quality that the Alpine area is so known for producing. 

Pair with: Roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy pasta or light spring salads.

 

Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Secco ‘Spiriti Folletti’

Emilia-Romagna – Lambrusco

Lambrusco, the grape behind the classic Italian sparkling red wine, has been cultivated in the Emilia-Romagna region forcenturies, and theLambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Secco 'Spiriti Folletti' is evidence of why this wine keeps coming back in style.

If you see a Lambrusco and think of the sweet, cloying wines of the 80’s, think again. Italian winemakers have returned to more traditional styles and landed on something that still feels wholly modern. The Spiriti Folleti sparkles with cherry and wild strawberry notes balanced by a dry palate and lively acidity. 

Pair with: Charcuterie boards, antipasti, pizza or anything salty and snackable. A brilliant aperitivo wine.

 

Masseria Setteporte Etna Rosso Organic 2023

Sicily – Nerello Mascalese

We’ve already mentioned the significance of the volcanic soils near Mount Etna, but to really understand why this wine region of Italy is so special, you have to try a glass of the2023 Masseria Setteporte Etna Rosso organic wine. This ruby-red Sicilian creation leads with notes of wild berry and red fruit and then rounds out with that pronounced minerality distinctive of wines produced near Italy’s most famous volcano.

The wine is both expressive and elegant, which allows it to complement a wide range of foods and flavours. 

Pair with: Grilled meats, roasted vegetables or aged cheeses like pecorino.

 

Cantine Pirovano Beatrice Primitivo 2024

Puglia – Primitivo

Puglia is famed for its long summers and the Primitivo grape. The name of this variety translates to “early one” in reference to its early ripening. What isn’t evident in the name is just how difficult this variety can be to grow.

Ripening can be extremely uneven if the season is too wet, and hotter seasons can create all kinds of havoc. Knowing this makes the smoothness of the 2024 Cantino Pirovano Beatrice Primitivo that much more impressive.

Pair with: Hearty pasta dishes, slow-cooked ragù, or rich vegetable stews.

How to Create a Restaurant-Quality Experience at Home

You don’t need a professional kitchen or sommelier training to elevate your wine night — just a few simple touches:

Serve at the right temperature
Whites slightly chilled, reds just below room temperature. It makes a huge difference to how the wine shows when served at particular temperatures.

Use the right glassware
Larger bowls for reds help open up aromas, while smaller glasses keep whites fresh and focused.

Set the scene
Soft lighting, good music and a relaxed atmosphere go a long way. Wine is as much about the experience as the flavour and our moods often affect how we experience taste and smell, so creating a warm, calm environment can help you relax and really enjoy the full profile of the wines you’re trying.

Bringing Italy to Your Table

Eating Europe give people a taste of Europe they'll never forget by exposing them to real food, people and neighbourhoods.Their mission is to leave travellers with an unparalleled, non-touristy food experience in undiscovered neighbourhoods of the world's most fascinating cities.

So we are excited to collaborate with them to bring you the best of Italy where it is all about connection to place, to food, and to the people you share it with. Whether you’re exploring the elegance of Piedmont, the freshness of the Alps, or the warmth of the south, each bottle offers something unique.

With the right pairings and a little attention to detail, you can turn a simple meal into something memorable.

Buon appetito