Vermentino

Italy

While France takes the crown for the most famous wines styles and grape varieties, Italy is where wine was first perfected. The ancient Greeks called it Oenotria—"land of the vines"—and the Roman Empire advanced grape growing and winemaking to a level of quality we still enjoy today. But behind Italy's best-known wines, such as Chianti, Barolo and prosecco, there's an almost endless diversity of delights awaiting the intrepid explorer. The key to understanding Italian wine is regionality and (of course) food. From the aromatic and sparkling whites of the north to Sicily's rich and spicy reds, Italy offers wine lovers a lifetime of gastronomic treats.