Mountainous terrain, volcanic soils, innumerable microclimates, and an ancient culture of winemaking influenced by Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans make Italy the most diverse country in the world of wine. This diversity is reflected in the fact that Italy grows the largest number of native wine grapes known, amounting to more than a quarter of the world's commercial wine grape types. Ian D'Agata spent thirteen years interviewing producers, walking vineyards, studying available research, and tasting wines to create this authoritative guide to Italy's native grapes and their wines. Writing with great enthusiasm and deep knowledge, D'Agata discusses more than 375 different native Italian grape varieties, from Aglianico to Zibibbo.

"Superbly written, and very detailed . . . .Comprehensive and richly informative. His writing is excellent: his prose is flowing and easy-to-read."

Autorentext

Ian D'Agata is a Rome-based wine writer and educator who writes regularly for Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar newsletter and for Decanter magazine, and is on staff at France's Le Figaro newspaper's Le Figaro-Vin website where he writes on Italian and French wines. He is the author of The Ecco Guide to the Best Wines of Italy.

Inhalt
Preface

Map of Italy's Wine Regions

Introduction: Understanding Native and Classifying Grape Varieties

Part I. Grape Varieties: What, Where, When, Why, and How

1. Ampelology: The Art and Science of Grape Variety Identification
2. The Origin of Viticulture and a Brief History of Italy's Grape Varieties

Part II. Italy's Native and Traditional Grape Varieties and Wines
3. Grape Groups and Families
4. Major Native and Traditional Grape Varieties
5. Little-Known Native and Traditional Grape Varieties
6. Crossings

Appendix
Glossary
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Grape Varieties