Wine from Italy | Rosso. Bianco. Rosato. Prosecco & Spumante
Oinotria - the land of wine - is what the ancient Greeks called Italy. It was a name that was also a badge of honor, as the Greeks appreciated good wine. Dionysus himself, the god of wine, would hardly have allowed this title if Italy had not already been a center for fine wines in ancient times. While mead was still flowing through the drinking horns in northern Europe, Julius Caesar in Rome was already faced with the decision of which of the numerous wines he should choose for his banquet table. According to tradition, his choice fell on a golden-yellow Mamertino from Sicily - perhaps a vintage from 50 BC, formed under the scorching southern sun.
But Sicily was not the only source of fine wines. From the Alps to the southern tip of the peninsula, the vine grew early on. The “Vitis vinifera”, the noble grape, had its home everywhere in Italy, and the Romans took advantage of this gift of nature. When their legions conquered Europe, they not only carried weapons with them, but also vines. Young seedlings traveled in their trusses, carefully protected from the harsh climate of the north. If they found a sunny slope, they took off their armor and began to grow grapes - this is how viticulture reached Gaul and Germania.
At first, however, it was a foreign commodity, a gift from the conquerors. But over time, people north of the Alps also began to cultivate vines and make wine themselves. And where wine grows and matures in cool cellars, people also change. A good wine invites conversation, opens hearts and creates understanding. Tolerance grows from enjoyment - wine drinkers are rarely fanatics. People who drink together find it easier to get along, as the ancient Italians already knew, and this is still true today.
The journey takes us back to Italy, a country that has not only produced wine, but also art, music and architecture. It is hard to imagine that all these cultural highlights could have been created in a country without vines. Wine is part of Italy's cultural identity - just like Don Camillo and Peppone, who settle their differences over a glass of Lambrusco, or a preacher who takes a softer view of confession of sin after a sip of Chianti.
So what is wine? For Italians, it is much more than just a drink - it is food, an expression of joie de vivre and a carrier of culture. Anyone traveling to Italy can hardly help but become friends with the country's wine. Many start with the “Vino del Paese”, the country wine from the area around the osteria that welcomes you with warm simplicity. But if you want to learn more, seek out the true sources of pleasure - those trattorias between Piedmont and Sicily, where true connoisseurs passionately choose the right wine for every dish.
Whether with pasta, pizza, fish or game - Italy offers a wealth of wines that is unparalleled in its diversity. Top wines that can easily compete with the best wines in Europe. If you get involved, you will not only discover good wine, but also a piece of living Italian culture.
- Gerardo [TS05/25]
