Italy is the top producer of wine worldwide and home to an incredible diversity of grape varieties. Tuscany and Vin Santo are especially notable for producing full-bodied red wines.

Sicily's volcanic soils lend Nero d'Avola wines their distinctive taste, while Marsala wine blends comprised of Grillo, Catarratto or Inzolia grapes provide more options to suit different palates.

Tuscany

Tuscany is widely considered Italy's premier wine region, home to world-renowned Florence and Pisa as well as breathtakingly scenic countryside scenery. Sangiovese grapes produce such classic wines as Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Campania, one of Italy's oldest wine regions, can be found in the southernmost corner. Situated near Naples at the shin of Italy's boot, its volcanic soils produce amazing grape varieties such as Aglianico, Greco di Tufo and Falanghina - which contributes to this wine region's charm.

Piedmont lies along the northwestern corner of Italy, where winemakers push quality limits with velvety Barolo and Barbaresco wines, along with refreshing Gewurztraminer and Pinot Grigio white wines from this region.

Campania

Campania boasts an array of wine-producing regions, from volcanic slopes around Mount Vesuvius and along the Amalfi Coast to rugged mountains in central Campania. Each terroir provides outstanding potential for viticulture with long growing seasons, hot summers and mild winters allowing ample harvest opportunities.

Naples-dominated Campania is known for producing some of Italy's iconic wines, such as Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno for reds, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo for whites, as well as grape varieties dating back centuries when the term "Campania Felix" first used - meaning fertile Campania.

Puglia

Puglia produces about 20% of Italy's wine production. Though less well-known than Tuscany, Puglia wines have gained both in terms of popularity and quality over time.

Long and narrow Sicily enjoys diverse climates, making it the perfect environment to cultivate grape varieties such as Nero d'Avola which produces stunning red wines bursting with dark fruit notes.

Visit Puglia to explore an exquisite blend of small historical cities, stunning beaches, and ancient ruins bathed in sunlight. Enjoy boutique B&Bs, independent hotels or trulli accommodations and the local hospitality and delectable cuisine during your visit to this delightful region.

Sicily

Sicily may have earned itself a poor reputation when it comes to wine quality, but quality-focused producers have slowly been rebuilding it back up into prominence. Nero d'Avola remains the dominant red, while fortified Marsala can often contain Grillo and Inzolia grape varieties that possess sharp acidity levels - this helps them keep their freshness during blending processes.

Sicilia DOC encompasses all of Sicily and offers an assortment of styles, grape varieties and flavors for visitors to explore. Nerello Mascalese grape is famously spicy yet full-bodied red variety while Sicilia itself provides an opportunity for visitors to discover new tastes, styles and flavors to discover.

Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna is Italy's top wine producing region, responsible for nearly one quarter of total Italian output. Bordering Lombardy and Veneto to its north, as well as Tuscany to the south and west.

Attracting visitors from around Italy, Veneto is famous for its aged prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses as well as balsamic vinegar, and considered Italy's culinary capital. These hearty and satisfying foods pair perfectly with lighter sparkling wines from this region.

Emilia-Romagna boasts a rich and dynamic history. This region was home to some of Italy's greatest composers such as Giuseppe Verdi, Arturo Toscanini and Luciano Pavarotti - not forgetting many iconic films directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and Federico Fellini.

Umbria

Umbria's green hills and ancient religious sites draw pilgrims in droves; its wine offerings are just as remarkable. Dubbed Italy's Green Heart, Orvieto DOC is perhaps its best-known wine, boasting impressive export success since medieval times.

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG stands out amongst all other reds as one of the region's standout offerings; boasting profound depth and structure with impressive longevity potential.

Orvieto's DOC regulations allow Grechetto and Trebbiano wines to be blended with Chardonnay to great success; producers like Giorgio Lungarotti at Torgiano have utilized this option with great results.

Sardinia

Sardinia (known locally as Sardegna) is the second-largest island of the Mediterranean and produces wines with distinct personalities and traditions that stand out from those found elsewhere in Italy. Exploring Sardinian wines should not be missed!

Malvasia di Bosa from western Sardinia is an exceptional dry white with an elegant light bitter taste that pairs beautifully with almond-made sweets from traditional Sardinian confectioneries.

Sardinia's warm climate provides ideal growing conditions for hardy grape varieties like Cannonau and Terre Brune, producing wines rich in fruity and spice flavors.