A wine tasting experience in Italy makes clear why wine is the most natural drink after water! This magic potion comes from a natural, healthy source, the grape. Louis Pasteur said that “Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.” We need nothing else to make good wine: The grape’s skin contains the yeast that helps ferment the mature grape’s sugar. The process produces alcohol.
“The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.” ― Benjamin Franklin
Why is wine famous in Italy?
Ancient Romans appreciated so much the grape’s properties that they brought it to all the conquered lands. A Roman legend says that if land could not support grapes, it could not support Roman civilization. The wine was always associated with festivities and had a symbolic religious value.
It is no coincidence that they honored the god, Bacchus, especially during the famous Bacchanalia, celebrated on 14 and 15 March, to propitiate the sowing (above a scene from “Bacchanale Degli Andrii” by “Tiziano”).
Throughout their long history, well before the birth of Christ, Italians considered wine a cure and a life-potion.
Does Italy have good wine?
Thanks to science, more than to climate, countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and Britain produce various local wines. Thanks to its geographical position, Italy is the leader in volume, variety, and quality. Connoisseurs spend lots of time and money collecting and classifying wine.
With such an abundance, to be a competent oenologist, one must have a great palate and a vast and imaginative vocabulary to proclaim delightful bouquets. Noses to the air of wine critics describing the aftertaste of a simple variety could intimidate profanes. We can at least enjoy the show of their tongues flapping wildly.
What are the wine regions in Italy?
All Italian regions have several DOC productions (Denomination of Controlled Origin). Italian best wines come from Veneto, Piedmont, Umbria, and Tuscany. The last one is famous for Montepulciano and Chianti wines. Italians do not care so much about elitist vocabulary; they have always tasted gods’ best nectar. You don’t need to be an expert to know that you should never drink on an empty stomach. The best way to taste good wine is to accompany it with good homemade bread, extra virgin olive oil, Italian cold cuts, tomatoes, olives, and so on. Italian food can bring you to the last drop of the best Italian wine, especially when in good company.
Top Wine Tasting Experience in Italy: Umbria and Tuscany
Fortunately, Rome-based tourists can enjoy relaxing one-day trips to Tuscany or Umbria for delicious wine tastings accompanied by local products. Whatever you think about wine, you would enjoy our day trips from Rome to the enchanting vineyard landscapes of Central Italy! See our Wine Tasting proposals in San Gimignano, Montepulciano and Siena.