Italy
Italy is the world’s largest wine producer and has been producing wine for export since the days of Greek colonisation when it was known simply as Oenotria – the land of wine. Italian wine styles differ enormously with each region having its own particular indigenous grapes – Sangiovese in Tuscany, Nebbiolo in Piedmont and Primitivo in Sicily, to name but a few. Wines like Chianti, Barolo, Amarone and Brunello express the character of these indigenous grapes with wines that are firmly associated with Italy and nowhere else. A recent development in Tuscany in particular has been the blending of the local Sangiovese with more international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon to produce „Super” wines that are much in demand despite generally high prices. In general the standard of Italian wines improves each year with winemakers everywhere improving both their vineyard and vinification techniques.