As most of us know nowadays, Italy harbors the world’s largest selection of native wine grapes. Most importantly, and differently from other countries that supposedly also have a large number of their own grape varieties, Italy actually makes wine from most of its native grapes. From small volume productions to rather large ones, Italian wines made from native grapes identify the country just as much as its monuments and cuisine do. These grape varieties are not some foot-note in a dusty book in some forgotten library or government office dungeon, but are actually grapevines that grow out in the field and that can be more or less easily tracked down, as can be their wines. Clearly, for international wine lovers, with a good chunk of said grapes and wines that may not be the easiest thing to do; but for locals, who can source such wines with relative ease, these grape varieties play a vital, nation-building pride and role in Italy’s every day drinking habits and consumption trends.
