Italy is producing some of the most diverse and exciting wines in the world. There are over 600 grape varieties growing in the country, of which over half are authorized to produce quality wines with character. From the rolling hills of Piedmont and Tuscany to the high-elevation vineyards of Alto Adige and the volcanic soils of Mt. Enta on Sicily, each area of the country delivers unique selections with rustic, Old World character and delicious charm. We raise our glasses to toast Italian. #Cheers

From the Veneto region in the northeastern part of the country, Tenuta Sant’Antonio Nanfre Valpolicella DOC blends 70% Corvina with 30% Rondinella, both varieties native to the region. The lively wine has a lighter style than some Valpolicella wines with only 12.5% alcohol. The lower alcohol ensures the flavors are fruit-forward and fresh, making it perfect with food, pairing well with anything from pasta to sausages to grilled meat or poultry. The flavors are lively, with red berries, cherries, and wildflowers.

From the heart of Sicily, Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG blends Nero d’Avola with Frappato, both red varieties from the island creating a fresh, fruity, fleshy wine with character. The wine opens with layers of stone fruit, red currants, and roses, followed by ripe plums, cherries, and wild herbs. The texture is fresh and light, making it a delicious red to pair with fish dishes, light pastas, or roasted root vegetables.

From the Langhe area within Piedmont in the northwestern corner of the country, Enrico Serafino Picotener Langhe Nebbiolo DOC  shines as a fleshy, bold, balanced example of Nebbiolo from the region. The estate-grown and bottled wine melds toasted spices, fresh flowers, black tea, and dried tobacco notes with a lovely earthiness that makes the wine ideal with truffle risotto or grilled lamb chops.

Crafted using organic grapes, Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Nero d’Avola Sicily DOC is a juicy, balanced wine with easy approachability. Layers of wildflowers, dried herbs, and toasted spice meld with black plum, blackberry, and dried orange peel. The body is full. However, the tannins are soft and balanced, making this a delicious wine with grilled salmon, chicken, or beef.

From high-elevation vineyards in Northeastern Italy’s Alto Adige, Muri-Greis Tenuta Cantina Convento Pinot Nero DOC shines as a luscious example of the variety with balance and great appeal. Ripe red fruits, violets, and truffle aromas lift from the glass, followed by cranberry, wild strawberries, and cherry flavors with dried leaves, tea, and spice notes with a silky texture and lengthy finish.

Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore is the wine you want to drink on a cold winter night. Bold, rich, and full-bodied, this is a wine that will warm you from the inside out. Crafted from 85% Corvina Veronese, 5% Rondinella, and 10% Corvinone, the wine undergoes a brief secondary fermentation after the initial fermentation, giving structure, concentration, and fruit-forward flavor to the well-rounded wine. With a smooth palate and layers of dried cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate, the wine is ideal with grilled ribeye steaks, hearty pasta dishes, or slow braised short ribs.