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Italian Wine

Very few countries can boast the winemaking legacy that Italy takes for granted. Vines for wine have been growing in Italy for more then 4,000 years. The Ancient Greeks arriving in Southern Italy named the countryside Enotria - land of the vine. read moreOver the centuries differing conquerors and travelers added their particular expertise and insights forming and shaping Italian wine along the way. Despite its ancient origins, we can also say that Italian wine has only recently planted itself firmly in the pantheon of great wine producing countries to rise up and become the oldest new kid on the block and one of the most exciting wine producing regions in the world today.

So what is Italian wine? Is it represented by the storied Barolos, Brunellos and Chiantis? Perhaps the more modern Super Tuscans or wines made from the well-known international varieties. Then we can't forget about the regional wines made from one or more of Italy's hundreds of native varieties. Maybe it's the ocean of Pinot Grigio or the specialty wines like the sparkling red Lambrusco. The truth is Italian wine is all of these wines and so many more. There is no more a typical Italian wine then there is typical fingerprint.

Where does that leave the Italian wine lover? The very factors that create confusion - the myriad of native varieties, small and unfamiliar place names, the sheer type and number of wines and producers - also make it one of the most fascinating topics to explore. The renaissance of the past thirty years continues unabated with producers old and new dedicated to producing the finest expressions the land has to offer. New wines are being created that stand side-by-side with the best traditional wines in the country. Because of this vastness you may never get to the bottom of Italian wine, but the journey is well worth the effort.

Credit: Robert Scibelli is a lecturer and administrator at New York's premier wine school, International Wine Center.