| Barbera | Grape: Barbera
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Barbera d'Alba DOC, Barbera d'Asti DOCG, Nizza DOCG; Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG, Barbera del Monferrato DOC, Colli Tortonesi DOC (Monleale subzone); Emilia-Romagna: Gutturnio DOC
Characteristics: Flavor profile varies according to winemaking techniques, but all Barbera share a deep ruby-purple color, intense aromas of sour red-berry fruit, high acidity and low-to-moderate tannins. The best demonstrate ripe fruit and are spicy, rich, full bodied, structured and complex. |
| Brachetto | Grape: Brachetto
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG
Characteristics: Aromatic grape that makes sweet fizzy and sparkling wines where floral notes and fresh wild strawberry and raspberry aromas shine. |
| Corvina | Grape: Corvina
Synonym(s): Corvina Veronese (Veneto)
DOC/G(s): Veneto: Bardolino DOC, Bardolino Superiore DOC, Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Characteristics: Late-budding and mid-to late-ripening. Thick skin suitable for appassimento vinification. Wines are medium intensity of color, bright acidity, light to moderate tannins and light to medium body. The show typical aromas of sour cherry, violet, aromatic herbs and bitter almonds. |
| Corvinone | Grape: Corvinone
DOC/G(s): Veneto: Bardolino DOC, Bardolino Superiore DOC, Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Characteristics: Provides higher tannins than Corvina and, through apassimento, adds structure, body and meaty-savory notes. |
| Croatina | Grape: Croatina
Synonym(s): Bonarda (Lombardia)
DOC/G(s): Lombardia: Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC, Buttafuoco dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC; Emilia-Romagna: Gutturnio DOC
Characteristics: Wines are deep in color, with fresh and juicy red fruit and spicy notes. They are fleshy and soft with a tannic bite. |
| Dolcetto | Grape: Dolcetto
Synonym(s): Ormeasco (Liguria)
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Dogliani DOCG, Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba DOCG, Dolcetto d'Alba DOC, Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG, Dolcetto di Ovada DOC; Liguria: Ormeasco di Pornassio DOC
Characteristics: Deep in color, with fragrant grapey and black fruit aromas. Palate shows ripe plum with almond and licorice flavors. Soft and round and typically low in acid. Pleasantly bitter finish. |
| Freisa | Grape: Freisa
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Freisa d'Asti DOC
Characteristics: Lightly colored wines that are high in acid and tannin with distinctive aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry. |
| Fumin | Grape: Fumin
DOC/G(s): Valle d'Aosta DOC Torrette
Characteristics: Deep ruby, full-bodied, and are high in acid and tannin, with aromas of red fruit, herbs, pepper and sweet spice. |
| Grignolino | Grape: Grignolino
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Grignolino d'Asti DOC
Characteristics: Wines are pale red (almost pink), with delicate and fresh aromas of flowers, red berry fruit, pepper and herbs. Wines are light bodied, moder in alcohol and surprisingly high in tannin and acid. |
| Groppello | Grape: Groppello
DOC/G(s): Lombardia: Riviera del Garda Classico DOC
Characteristics: Wines display bright, floral notes, fresh red fruit (cherry, strawberry) and spice. Often made as a chiaretto (rosato), which is pale pink and refreshing with aromas of strawberries and flowers. |
| Lagrein | Grape: Lagrein
DOC/G(s): Alto Adige: Alto Adige/Südtirol DOC (particularly Santa Maddalena / St. Magdalener sub-zone), Lago di Caldaro / Kalterersee DOC
Characteristics: Typical style is dark and powerful. Full bodied, rich wines high in tannins and acidity that often show a bitter finish. Packed with berry fruit and violet aromas, its savory and meaty character is balanced by intense fruitiness. |
| Lambrusco di Sorbara | Grape: Lambrusco di Sorbara
DOC/G(s): Emilia-Romagna: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
Characteristics: Like all Lambruscos, high acidity, moderate alcohol and red fruit-floral aromas. Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest (color, body, alcohol and structure) of the three varieties. |
| Lambrusco Grasparossa | Grape: Lambrusco Grasparossa
DOC/G(s): Emilia-Romagna: Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC
Characteristics: Like all Lambruscos, high acidity, moderate alcohol and red fruit-floral aromas. Lambrusco Grasparossa produces fleshier, fuller-bodied and more tannic Lambrusco wines. |
| Lambrusco Salamino | Grape: Lambrusco Salamino
DOC/G(s): Emilia-Romagna: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC
Characteristics: Like all Lambruscos, high acidity, moderate alcohol and red fruit-floral aromas. Lambrusco Salamino is the most balanced Lambrusco, falling stylistically between the other two. |
| Marzemino | Grape: Marzemino
DOC/G(s): Trentino: Trentino DOC (Marzemino, Isera and Ziresi sub-zones)
Characteristics: Late-ripening variety makes fresh, light- to medium-bodied, soft wines with aromas of violet, sour cherry, plum, almond and herbs. It usually has a slightly bitter finish. |
| Merlot | Grape: Merlot
DOC/G(s): Friuli Venezia Giulia: Friuli Grave DOC, Friuli Colli Orientale DOC, Friuli Isonzo DOC, Friuli (or Friuli Venezia Giulia) DOC; Veneto: Piave DOC
Characteristics: Second most widely planted grape in Friuli. Great majority in a soft, fruity and easy drinking style. However, some high-quality examples are dense, rich, complex and concentrated. |
| Moscato di Scanzo | Grape: Moscato di Scanzo
DOC/G(s): Lombardia: Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
Characteristics: A rare grape belonging to the Muscat family. Grown exclusively around Bergamo (Lombardia). Passitos from this grape are intense and complex featuring floral, berry and spice notes with high alcohol. Wine combines restrained sweetness, refreshing acidity and velvety smooth tannins. |
| Nebbiolo | Grape: Nebbiolo
Synonym(s): Picotendro (Valle d'Aosta), Chiavenasca (Lombardia)
DOC/G(s): Valle d'Aosta DOC Donnas; Piemonte: Gattinara DOCG, Ghemme DOCG, Lessona DOC, Bramaterra DOC, Boca DOC, Carema DOC, Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, Roero DOCG; Lombardia: Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Characteristics: Pale, ruby-garnet in color; turn orange with age. Intense aromas of red cherry, rose, violet, tar, licorice and underbrush. As they age, they show refined aromas of dried red fruit, withered rose pteals, sweet spices, leather and truffles. Possess high levels of acid, tannin, alcohol and extract. |
| Ormeasco (Dolcetto) | Grape: Ormeasco
Synonym(s): Dolcetto
DOC/G(s): Liguria: Ormeasco di Pornassio DOC; Characteristics: Compared to Dolcettos of Piemonte, Ormeasco tends to be more herbal and lighter in style. |
| Petit Rouge | Grape: Petit Rouge
Synonym(s): Picciourouzo (Valle d'Aosta)
DOC/G(s): Valle d'Aosta DOC Chambave; Valle d'Aosta DOC Torrette
Characteristics: Dark, medium bodied wines with good acidity and aromas of red flowers, fresh red fruit, almonds and spice. |
| Pinot Nero | Grape: Pinot Nero
Synonym(s): Blauburgunder (Alto Adige)
DOC/G(s): Liguria: Franciacorta DOCG, Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG; Trentino: Trento DOC
Characteristics: Used in certain metodo classico blends, and sometimes as a single varietal. |
| Raboso Piave | Grape: Raboso Piave
Synonym(s): Friularo or Friularo di Bagnoli (Padova area of Veneto) DOC/G(s): Veneto: Bagnoli di Sopra DOC
Characteristics: Wines have deep color and complex aromas of bright berry fruits, violet, tobacco and leather. |
| Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso | Grape: Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
DOC/G(s): Friuli Venezia Giulia: Friuli Grave DOC, Friuli Colli Orientale DOC, Friuli Isonzo DOC, Friuli (or Friuli Venezia Giulia) DOC
Characteristics: Wines show deep color and have aromas of red flowers, dark fruit (plum, blackberry), almond, herbs, forest floor and spice. Medium- to full-bodied and high in tannins and acidity. Usually produced in two main styles: light, fruity and unoaked with vibrant acidity; and bold, ripe and structured. |
| Rondinella | Grape: Rondinella
DOC/G(s): Veneto: Bardolino DOC, Bardolino Superiore DOC, Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Characteristics: Easy to grow, resistant to disease, cold and drought, adaptable and productive. Wines provide cherry aromas, low tannins and light body. Lacks the character and elegance of Corvina. |
| Rossese | Grape: Rossese
Synonym(s): Tibouren (France)
DOC/G(s): Liguria: Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC, Riviera Ligure di Ponente Rossese DOC
Characteristics: Pale ruby color, medium body, bright acidity, floral aromas, red berry fruit, herbs, spices and a distinctive savory note. |
| Ruchè | Grape: Ruchè
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
Characteristics: Wines are intensely perfumed with distinctive aromas and flavors of rose, red fruit and spice. |
| Schiava/Vernatsch | Grape: Schiava/Vernatsch
Synonym(s): Trollinger (Germany/Austria)
DOC/G(s): Alto Adige: Alto Adige/Südtirol DOC
Characteristics: Wines are approachable: delicate, light in color and body, moderate in alcohol and low in tannin with refreshing acidity. Aroma displays strawberry, violet and almond notes. Palate is grapey and juicy. Wines best drunk young and chilled. |
| Schioppettino | Grape: Schioppettino
Synonym(s): Ribolla Nera (Friuli Venezia Giulia)
DOC/G(s): Friuli Venezia Giulia: Friuli Colli Orientale DOC
Characteristics: Wines are deeply colored with intense aromas of flowers and black fruit atop a spicy-peppery core. Powerful, dense and structured wines with high acidity and tannins. |
| Teroldego | Grape: Teroldego
DOC/G(s): Trentino: Teroldego Rotaliano DOC
Characteristics: Wines are deep in color, refreshing and fruity with dense texture, smooth tannins and aromas of ripe berry fruit, tar and herbs. Handles oak well. |
| Vespolina | Grape: Vespolina
Synonym(s): Ughetta (Lombardia)
DOC/G(s): Piemonte: Gattinara DOCG, Ghemme DOCG, Lessona DOC, Bramaterra DOC, Boca DOC; Lombardia: Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC, Buttafuoco dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC
Characteristics: A blending grape, blended with Nebbiolo in Piemonte and with Croatina (Bonarda) in Lombardia, where it is called Ughetta. |
| Sangiovese | Grape: Sangiovese
DOC/G(s): Liguria: Colli di Luni Rosso DOC, Colline di Levanto DOC; Emilia-Romagna: Romagna Sangiovese DOC
Characteristics: The best examples tend to be rounder, less acidic and possess softer tannins than their Toscana counterparts. |
