Toscana

Everybody has heard of Tuscany ("Toscana") and its famous landscapes, but of course this region is very famous for its wines too. Plinius the Old talks about vineyards being present here even before the Etruscans inhabited the area and more modern growing techniques were imported by the Greeks.

Judging from archeological findings wine was no longer imported from Chio and Fenicia after the 6th century. After this period Tuscany became first self sufficient and then developed commerce by exporting its products too.

As from the year 1100 vineyards become more and more dense. We can connect some of the churches' names in Florence to this thriving activity: San Jacopo delle Vigne, Santa Maria tra le Vigne.

Nowadays Tuscany's wine is known mainly as Chianti, but be aware that most of the Chianti (red) wine is unfortunately not of the best quality. If you are really looking for a great red Tuscan wine, go for the Super-Tuscans, Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Tignanello, Solaia and don't forget about the wonderful Brunello di Montalcino and the Rosso di Montalcino. Read on to find out more details about these wines.

Tuscany also produces white wine: the most known one might be the Vernaccia di San Gimignano, but there is also white Chianti wine.

More on Tuscany and its wines...

  • To find out about the extra famous Brunello di Montalcino
  • Chianti: is made from grapes of various types: Sangiovese for 70% to 90%, black Canaiolo for 5% to 10%, tuscan Trebbiano and Malvasia of Chianti for 5% to 10%. Chianti wines are red-purple and taste of plums with a twist of bitterness and some aftertaste. They are dry and slightly tannic. The alcohol contents are normally 11.5 per cent. The bottle should be stored in a horizontal position and served at a temperature of 18 degrees. Better Chianti wine exists:
    • Chianti Riserva: alcohol 12 per cent, has aged for 3 years, serve at room temperature.
    • Chianti Classico: Trebbiano and Malvasia are only present in quantities of 2% to 5%, alcohol 12 per cent.
    • Chianti Classico Riserva: minimum alcohol contents of 12.5 per cent.
  • More on Chianti wines ...
  • Bianco della Valdinievole: made from Trebbiano grapes for 70%. The rest is made up of Malvasia of Chianti, white Canaiolo and Vermentino grapes for a maximum of 25%. It is light golden in colour. Its alcohol contents are 11 per cent and should be drunk young. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at 8 degrees. Variations include:
    • Bianco della Valdinievole Vinsanto: made from the same grapes as above but first they are dried and carefully selected. The wine is aged for 3 years in barrels of up to 2 hectolitres, and can keep for up to 5 years once it is bottled. Alcohol contents: 14 per cent.
    • Bianco della Valdinievole Vinsanto Secco: as for the above but with contents in alcohol of 13 per cent.
    • Bianco della Valdinievole Vinsanto Dolce: as for the above, but it is sweeter in taste and the alcohol contents are 12 per cent.
  • More on the Valdinievole wines ...
  • Montescudaio Bianco: made from Trebbiano (65% - 85%), Malvasia del Chianti e Vermentino (15% - 30%), other grapes (10%). Its alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be served at a temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Centigrade.
  • Montescudaio Rosso: made from Sangiovese (65% - 85%), Malvasia del Chianti, Trebbiano (15% - 25%), other red grapes (10%). Its alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. Its serving temperature should be 18 degrees.
  • Montescudaio Vin Santo: this wine is made from the same grapes used for the white one, but they are driven through the appassimento naturale , which gives the wine a sweet taste. It is best suited for dry cakes. It should be served at 16 degrees.
  • Vernaccia di San Gimignano: it is produced from Vernaccia di San Gimignano grapes. Grapes coming from other areas may be used in this wine but only for a maximum of 10%. Its color is golden yellow, with a very fine and penetrating bouquet, especially when older. Its taste is dry, armonic and fresh and its contents in alcohol reach 10 per cent. It is one of the few white wines that can be kept for 2 or 3 years. Tipically, it is served with fish. The bottle should be kept in a horizontal position and served at a temperature of 8 degrees centigrade.
  • Carmignano Rosato: Sangiovese grapes account for 45% to 65% of its contents; black Canaiolo for 10% to 20%; Cabernet Franc and/or Sauvignon for 6% to 10%; Tuscan Trebbiano and/or white Canaiolo and/or Malvasia del Chianti for 10% to 20%; other grapes from authorised vineyards in the province of Florence for up to 5%. It's a rose wine with a very fruity nose. It tastes dry and fresh, slightly acid. Its minimum alcohol contents are 11.5 per cent and should be drunk very young, in its first year after being bottled. It is suitable for a whole meal, served at a temperature of 12 degrees. The bottle should be stored in a horizontal position.
  • Carmignano Rosso: this wine is produced from the same grapes used for the Rosato variety but with a "vinificazione in rosso". The wine gets better as it ages, and acquires a dry and velvety taste. Its contents in alcohol are of 12.5 per cent and is at its best during its first three years. It should be served with roast and grilled red meat at a temperature of 18 degrees. Variations include:
    • Carmignano Vinsanto Secco: produced from Tuscan Trebbiano grapes which account for 65% to 75% of its contents. The other grapes are white Cannaiolo and/or Chianti Malvasia (15% to 35%) and grapes from other autorised vineyards (up to 10%). This wine is aged for 3 years in hogheads with a maximum content of 200 litres. Its taste is dry, slightly bitter and can be kept for a few years. It should be served at the end of a meal and at a temperature of 15 degrees.
    • Carmignano Vinsanto Semisecco: as for the above but with an alcohol content of 13 per cent.
    • Carmignano Vinsanto Dolce: as for the above, but it is sweeter in taste and the alcohol contents are 12 per cent.
  • Isole e Olena: this wine comes in 2 types: a Chianti Classico (80% Sangiovese and Canaiolo and up to 5% of Syrah) and Cepparello (100% Sangiovese). The wines are superb, the owner of the estate also makes a breathtaking Vinsanto and he is considered to be in the top 10 small producers in the world.
    • The Super - Tuscans
    The Super-Tuscans are 'special' wines in that, although not having been classified either as DOC or DOCG, are capable of making you dream as you slowly drink them, appreciating every little sip and feeling as you were reaching Paradise. They are the Ornellaia, Solaia, Tignanello, Sassicaia. Let's review them:

    Ornellaia: Ornellaia is the principal wine produced at the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, an extremely fine and red wine blended from Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot grapes first aged in oak casks and then in a bottle. The creation of this wine was inspired from the perfect natural conditions in this tiny corner of Bolgheri for extraordinary red wine production, conditions first identified and developed through the genius of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in his legendary Sassicaia.

    Solaia: This is a wine that comes from a vineyard bordering with the vignard of Tignanello, in the Chianti Classico region, with the same extremely favourable situation: a typically friable rocky soil (Galestro), the altitude and the exposition that determine an ideal microclimate for the production of a great wine. Born in 1978, this wine is very fine, elegant and balanced rather than one of great structure or body, without an excessively agressive varietal character but with a strong personality. This wine, usually aged for 24 months in small oak casks of 225 litres, is subsequently bottled for further refinement.

    Sassicaia: Sassicaia started the Cabernet Sauvignon fashion in Tuscany. The wine was first produced in 1968 and it immediately seduced everybody with its fruit-dominated, blackcurrent and mint flavours. Sassicaia ages for 18 months to 2 years in barriques and another 2 in a bottle before being sold. It still only peaks after 5 or more years.

    Tignanello: With 20 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon and 80 per cent Sangiovese grapes, this wine ages for 18 months in barriques and is one of the more elegant super-Tuscans. Again a product of the Antinori vineyards, this wine is also one of the most expensive Vino da Tavola.

    Olmaia: This wine is produced by a club of agents provocateurs who hate the constraints of the industry. They bend the rules by using Italy's "table wine" tag for wines that are made from classic grape varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot, sometimes blended with Italian varieties, sometimes alone. The results can be stupendous - and in the case of Olmaia, are undoubtedly so. Fasten your safety belts for a flight of fancy with a fabulously rich, complex, velvety red wine. The lingering plummy flavour is the kind you remember and crave thereafter. (Eva Katz, The Bulletin, August 14, 1997)

    Umbria

    The High Tiber Valley area

    • Colli Altotiberini Bianco:
      Type: white, dry
      Grapes: Trebbiano, Malvasia toscana (up to 10%), other white grapes (up to 15%)
      Alcohol contents: 10.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 8 degrees
      Recommendations: best suited for fish dishes, store bottle vertically
    • Colli Altotiberini Rosato:
      Type: rose, dry, fresh
      Grapes: Sangiovese (55% to 70%), Merlot (10% to 20%), Trebbiano toscano and/or Malvasia (up to 10%), other grapes (up to 15%)
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      May be kept for: drink within first year
      Serving temperature: 12 degrees
      Recommendations: store bottle horizontally
    • Colli Altotiberini Rosso:
      Type: red, dry
      Grapes: Sangiovese (55% to 70%), Merlot (10% to 20%), Trebbiano toscano and/or Malvasia (up to 10%), other grapes (up to 15%)
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      May be kept for: 2 years
      Serving temperature: 16-18 degrees Centigrade
      Recommendations: best suited for roast duck, store bottle horizontally

    Umbria's Central Hills

    • Colli Perugini Bianco:
      Type: white, dry
      Grapes: Trebbiano toscano (65% to 85%), Garganega, Grechetto, Malvasia del Chianti, Verdicchio (between 15% and 35% but 10% max. for Malvasia)
      Alcohol contents: 11 per cent
      Serving temperature: 8 degrees
      Recommendations: drink during first year, with fish and eggs dishes, store bottle vertically
    • Colli Perugini Rosato:
      Type: rose, dry, fresh
      Grapes: Sangiovese (65% to 85%), Barbera, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Montepulciano (with Merlot not exceeding 10%)
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 12 degrees
      Recommendations: drink during first year, best suited for veal dishes, store bottle horizontally
    • Colli Perugini Rosso:
      Type: red, dry
      Grapes: same as above
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 18 degrees
      Recommendations: may be kept for up to 3 years, best suited for roast dishes, store bottle horizontally.
    • Montefalco Rosso:
      Type: red, dry
      Grapes: Sagrantino (5% to 10%), Sangiovese (65% to 75%), Trebbiano toscano(15% to 20%). Barbera, Ciliegiolo, Malvasia del Chianti, Merlot, Montepulciano may be used (up to 10%)
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 18 degrees
      Recommendations: may be kept for up to 3 years, best suited for roast dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally.
    • Montefalco Sagrantino:
      Type: red, dry
      Grapes: Sagrantino and Trebbiano (up to 5%)
      Alcohol contents: 12.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: room temperature
      Recommendations: May be kept for 6 to 7 years and should not be drunk before its second year. It is best suited for roast and game dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally.
    • Montefalco Sagrantino Passito:
      Type: red, sweet
      Grapes: same as above
      Alcohol contents: 14 per cent
      Serving temperature: 15 degrees
      Recommendations: Should be served with desserts, the bottle should be stored horizontally.
    • Torgiano Bianco:
      Type: white, dry, fruity
      Grapes: Trebbiano toscano (50% to 70%), Grechetto (15% to 35%), Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia toscana, Verdello (up to 15%).
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 8 degrees
      Recommendations: best suited for antipasti and fish dishes, should be drunk when not older than 1 year, store bottle vertically.
    • Torgiano Rosso:
      Type: red, dry, medium-bodied
      Grapes: Sangiovese (50% to 70%), Canaiolo (15% to 30%), Trebbiano toscano (up to 10%), Ciliegiolo and Montepulciano (up to 10%)
      Alcohol contents: 12.0 per cent
      Serving temperature: 18 degrees
      Recommendations: best suited for meat and game dishes, may be kept for up to 6 years, store bottle vertically.

    The Trasimeno area

    • Colli del Trasimeno Bianco:
      Type: white, dry
      Grapes: Trebbiano toscano (60% to 80%), Malvasia del Chianti, Grechetto, Verdello and Verdicchio bianco (up to 40%)
      Alcohol contents: 11.0 per cent
      Serving temperature: 8 degrees
      Recommendations: best suited for fish dishes and the Trasimeno specialty 'Regina in porchetta', store bottle vertically and drink wine when not older than one year.
    • Colli del Trasimeno Rosso:
      Type: red, dry and slightly tannic
      Grapes: Sangiovese (60% to 80%), Ciliegiolo, Gamay, Malvasia del Chianti, Trebbiano toscano (up to 20%)
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 18 degrees
      Recommendations: may be kept for up to 3 years, best suited for white and red meat dishes, store bottle horizontally.

    The Orvieto area

    • Orvieto Abboccato:
      Type: white, sweet
      Grapes: Trebbiano toscano(50% to 65%), Verdello (15% to 25%), Drupeggio, Grechetto, Malvasia toscana (20% to 30% with a maximum of 20% for the Malvasia)
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 10 degrees
      Recommendations: store bottle horizontally, may be kept for up to 2 years, may accompany desserts or a whole meal.
    • Orvieto Secco:
      Type: white, dry
      Grapes: same as above
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 10 degrees
      Recommendations: best suited for fish dishes, eggs dishes, and cheese.
    • Orvieto Classico:
      Type: white, dry
      Grapes: same as above
      Alcohol contents: 11.5 per cent
      Serving temperature: 10 degrees
      Recommendations: same as above.

    Lazio

    Around the Bolsena Lake

    • Aleatico di Gradoli: this wine is produced from Aleatico grapes. It is red, with a soft taste and sweet. Its minimum alcohol contents are 12 per cent. It should be drunk within its first 2 years. It is best suited for desserts, especially with baked cakes. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 10 degrees.
    • Aleatico di Gradoli Liquoroso: this wine is produced from Aleatico grapes having gone through the passito process. Its minimum alcohol content is 17.5 per cent. It may be kept for a few years. It is suited for desserts and aperitifs.
    • Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone: it's produced from Trebbiano toscano grapes (65%), Malvasia bianca toscana (20%), Rossetto (15%). It is a dry white wine which tends to become sweet. Its minimum alcohol content is 11 per cent and should be drunk when very young. The bottle can be stored in a horizontal position and the wine served at a temperature of 10 degrees.

    The Etruscan land

    • Cerveteri Bianco: this wine is produced from Trebbiano toscano and/or romagnolo and/or giallo (not less than 50%) grapes, Malvasia di Candia and/or from Lazio (not more than 35%) grapes. Other grapes may be used too (up to 15%) and these are Bellone, Bombino, Tocai and Verdicchio. This white wine is usually dry, at times slightly sweet. Its minimum alcohol contents are 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk young, when not older than one year, and should be served at a teperature of 8 degrees Centigrade.
    • Cerveteri Rosso: this wine is produced from Montepulciano, Sangiovese, (at least 60%), Cesanese comune (up to 25%), Barbera or Canaiolo nero or Carignano (up to 30%) grapes. It is dry, slightly bitter. Its minimum alcohol content is 12 per cent. It is at its best during its first 2 years. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 18 degrees.

    The Capena area

    • Bianco Capena: this white wine is produced from Malvasia of Candia and/or Toscana and/or of Lazio (up to 55%) grapes. Other grapes used include Trebbiano toscano and/or romagnolo and/or giallo (at least 25%), Bellone and/or Bombino (up to 20%). The very light yellow colour tends to become gold with green shadows. On the palate it is dry and tends to get slightly sweet. Its minimum alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk when young, when not older than one year. It is suitable to accompany a whole meal and is recommended with pizza. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
    • Bianco Capena Superiore: the only difference with the preceding wine is that this one has an alcohol content of 12 per cent.

    The Albani hills and the Castelli Romani

    • Colli Albani Secco: this white wine is produced from the following grapes: Malvasia rossa, Malvasia bianca di Candia (up to 60%), Trebbiano toscano, verde and giallo (between 25% and 50%), Malvasia del Lazio or Malvasia puntinata (between 15% and 40%), Bonvino and Cacchione (up to 10%). The wine is dry and fruity. Its minimum alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk when young (not older than 1 year). It is best suited for antipasti, bruschette and pizze. The bottle should be stored in a vertical position and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
    • Colli Albani Amabile: it has the characteristic amabile (semi-sweet) taste. It may accompany a whole meal.
    • Colli Albani Superiore: both the dry and the Amabile variety can be Superiore when their alcohol content is at least 12.5 per cent. It may be kept for 2 years.
    • Colli Albani Spumante: the Spumante method may be applied to each of the above mentioned wines. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 5-6 degrees.
    • Colli Lanuvini Secco: this wine is produced from the following grapes: Malvasia bianca di Candia and puntinata (up to 70%), Trebbiano toscano, verde, giallo (at least 30%), Bellone and Bonvino (up to 10%). On the palate it is dry, medium bodied and its alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk when young (maximum 1 year old). It is best suited for antipasti and fish dishes. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
      Variety: Colli Lanuvini Amabile (it's the sweet version of the above wine)
    • Cori Bianco Secco: this wine is made from grapes of the following type: Malvasia di Candia (40% to 60%), Bellone (20% to 30%), Trebbiano toscano (15% to 25%), Trebbiano giallo (5% to 10%). It's a dy wine with a minimum alcohol content of 11 per cent and is suited for accompanying a whole meal. It should be drunk when young, when not older than 1 year. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
      Varieties: Cori Bianco Amabile (it's a semi-sweet variety); Cori Bianco Dolce (best suited for desserts, it's a sweet wine); Cori Rosso (made from Montelpulciano (40% to 60%), Nero buono di Cori (20% to 40%), Cesanese (10% to 30%) grapes; on the palate it is dry, its minimum alcohol content 11.5 per cent, should be drunk in its first 2 years and served at 18 degrees).
    • Frascati Secco: this wine is produced from the following grapes: Malvasia bianca di Candia and/or Trebbiano toscano (at least 70%), Greco and/or Malvasia del Lazio (up to 30%). It is dry and soft on the palate. Its minimum alcohol content is 11%. It should be drunk when young (not older than one year old). It can accompany a whole meal and is best suited to be drunk with the Lazio specilaties. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
      Varieties: Frascati Amabile (semi-sweet); Frascati Cannellino (sweet, to be served at 8 degrees); Superiore (alcohol content 11.5 per cent); Frascati Spumante (the Spumante version of all the above, should be served at a temperature of 5 to 6 degrees).
    • Marino Secco: the grapes that go into the production of this wine are: Malvasia rossa or Malvasia bianca di Candia (up to 60%), Trebbiano toscano verde or bianco (form 25% to 55%), Malvasia del Lazio or Malvasia Puntinata (15% to 45%), Bonvino and Cacchione (up to 10%). This white wine is dry and fruity on the palate. Its minimum alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk when young, when not older than one year. It may accompany a whole meal, but is best suited for fish and egg dishes. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
      Varieties: Marino Amabile (semi-sweet); Marino Superiore (alcohol content of 12.5 per cent, may be kept for up to 2 years); Marino Spumante (the Spumante version of all the above, should be served at a temperature of 6 degrees).
    • Montecompatri Colonna Secco: it is produced from the following grapes: Malvasia bianca di Candia and Puntinata (up to 60%), Trebbiano toscano, verde and giallo (at least 30%), Bellone and Bonvino (up to 10%). This white wine is intense and delicate on the nose and dry on the palate. Its minium alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk when young, when not older than one year. It is suitable for accompanying a whole meal. The bottle should be stored in a vertical position and the wine served at a temperature of 10 degrees.
      Varieties:Montecompatri Colonna Amabile (semi-sweet); Montecompatri Colonna Superiore: (alcohol content of 12.5 per cent, may be kept for up to 2 years).
    • Velletri Bianco Secco: it is produced from the following grapes: Malvasia bianca di Candia and/or Puntinata (up to 70%), Trebbiano toscano, verde and giallo (at least 30%), Bellone and Bonvino (up to 10%). This white wine is delicate on the nose and dry on the palate. Its minium alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk when young, when not older than one year. It is suitable for accompanying a whole meal. The bottle should be stored in a vertical position and the wine served at a temperature of 10 degrees.
      Varieties:Velletri Bianco Amabile (semi-sweet).
    • Velletri Rosso: this red wine is produced from the following grapes: Cesanese Comune and or Cesanese di Affile (at least 30%), Montepulciano (between 20 and 35%), Sangiovese (between 20% and 30%), Bombino nero and/or Cieliegiolo and/or Merlot (up to 10%). This wine has a deep red colour and is slightly tannic. Its minium alcohol content is 12 per cent. It may be kept for up to 3 years. It is suitable for accompanying roast dishes as of its second year, when younger it is suited for accompanying a whole meal. The bottle should be stored in a horizontal position and the wine served at a temperature of 18 degrees.
    • Zagarolo Secco: this wine is produced from the following grapes: Malvasia bianca di Candia and Puntinata (up to 70%), Trebbiano toscano, verde and giallo (at least 30%), Bellone and Bonvino (up to 10%). This white wine is dry and soft on the palate. Its minimum alcohol content is 11.5 per cent. It should be drunk young, when not older than one year. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
      Varieties:Zagarolo Amabile (semi-sweet, to be served at a temperature of 8 degrees Centigrade); Zagarolo Superiore :(minimum alcohol content of 12.5 per cent, may be kept for up to 2 years).

    The Cesanese vineyards

    • Cesanese del Piglio Secco: this wine is produced from the following grapes: Cesanese di Affile and/or Cesanese Comune. Up to 10% of the grapes may be Barbera, Bombino bianco, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Trebbiano toscano. This wine's colour is bright red and is dry on the palate, slightly bitter. Its minimum alcohol content is 12 per cent and may be kept for up to 3 years. When young it is suitable for accompanying a whole meal, when older it is recommended for roast dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 18 degress Centigrade.
      Varieties: Cesanese del Piglio Amabile (semi-sweet, should be served at a temperature of 16 degrees Centigrade); Cesanese del Piglio Dolce: (alcohol content of 10 per cent, best suited for desserts, to be served at a temperature of 15 degrees Centigrade); Cesanese del Piglio Frizzante Naturale (may be applied to the 3 above types of wine); Cesanese del Piglio Spumante Naturale (the Spumante variety of the 3 above wines).
    • Cesanese di Affile Secco:this wine is produced from the following grapes: Cesanese di Affile and/or Cesanese Comune. Up to 10% of the grapes may be Barbera, Bombino bianco, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Trebbiano toscano. This wine's colour is bright red and is dry on the palate, slightly bitter. Its minimum alcohol content is 12 per cent and may be kept for up to 3 years. When young it is suitable for accompanying a whole meal, when older it is recommended for roast dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 18 degress Centigrade.
      Varieties: Cesanese di Affile Amabile (semi-sweet, should be served at a temperature of 16 degrees Centigrade); Cesanese di Affile Dolce: (alcohol content of 10 per cent, best suited for desserts, to be served at a temperature of 15 degrees Centigrade); Cesanese di Affile Frizzante Naturale (may be applied to the 3 above types of wine); Cesanese di Affile Spumante Naturale (the Spumante variety of the 3 above wines).
    • Cesanese di Olevano Romano Secco:this wine is produced from the following grapes: Cesanese di Affile and/or Cesanese Comune. Up to 10% of the grapes may be Barbera, Bombino bianco, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Trebbiano toscano. This wine's colour is bright red and is dry on the palate, slightly bitter. Its minimum alcohol content is 12 per cent and may be kept for up to 3 years. When young it is suitable for accompanying a whole meal, when older it is recommended for roast dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 18 degress Centigrade.
      Varieties: Cesanese di Olevano Romano Amabile (semi-sweet, should be served at a temperature of 16 degrees); Cesanese di Olevano Romano Dolce: (alcohol content of 10 per cent, best suited for desserts, to be served at a temperature of 15 degrees Centigrade); Cesanese di Olevano Romano Frizzante Naturale (may be applied to the 3 above types of wine); Cesanese di Olevano Romano Spumante Naturale (the Spumante variety of the 3 above wines).

    The Aprilia area

    • Merlot di Aprilia: at least 95% of the grapes that go into the production of this wine are Merlot. The rest depends on what grapes are authorised to be used by the province. The colour is bright red and it is dry and medium-bodied on the palate. Its minimum alcohol content is 12 per cent and is at its best during its first 2 years. It is best suited for accompanying roast dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 18 degrees.
    • Sangiovese di Aprilia: at least 95% of the grapes that go into the production of this wine are Sangiovese. The rest depends on what grapes are authorised to be used by the province. The colour is rose' and it is dry and medium-bodied on the palate. Its minimum alcohol content is 11.5 per cent and is at its best during its first year. It is best suited for accompanying white meat dishes. The bottle should be stored horizontally and the wine served at a temperature of 12 degrees.
    • Trebbiano di Aprilia: at least 95% of the grapes that go into the production of this wine are Trebbiano Toscano. The rest depends on what grapes are authorised to be used by the province. The colour is light yellow and it is dry on the palate. Its minimum alcohol content is 11 per cent and is at its best during its first year. It is best suited for accompanying antipasti , soups and fish dishes. The bottle should be stored vertically and the wine served at a temperature of 8 degrees.
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