Italy – North (Piedmont and Veneto)

Northern Italy hosts some of the country's proudest wines. In Piedmont, Nebbiolo is grown for Barolo and Barbaresco — tannic, high-acid reds capable of ageing for decades. Barolo is called 'the king of wines'. Barbera and Dolcetto offer fresher, more approachable alternatives. In the Veneto, Garganega dominates in Soave (white) and Corvina in Valpolicella (red). Amarone della Valpolicella is a concentrated, dry wine made from dried grapes — one of Italy's most imposing reds. Prosecco, made from Glera using the Charmat method, is the region's lighter, festive answer to Champagne.