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Italy may be well-known for its reds – think Chianti, Barolo and Amarone – but it is also home to an array of fantastic white wines. From Pinot Grigio and Vermentino to Prosecco, Italian white wines are renowned for their quality, variety and distinctive regional traits. Some can even be aged for many years.
Here are a few Italian white wines to explore the next time you’re shopping for vino bianco.
Italian white wines
There are hundreds of different grape varieties in Italy, but these are some of the best Italian white wines that folks flock to repeatedly.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio, arguably Italy’s most recognised and popular white wine, is grown in various regions across the country, including Veneto, Lombardy and Alto Adige. It’s loved for its lively green apple, pear and citrus flavours, vibrant acidity and dryness.
Pinot Grigio is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed all by itself. However, it really shines when paired with light bites and fresh dishes. Think grilled chicken salad, poached salmon, light crab rolls, gentle green risottos, crispy calamari and soft cow’s cheeses such as Brie and Burrata.
Many high-quality Pinot Grigio wines are reasonably priced, making them an excellent choice to serve to white wine drinkers at your party or celebration.
Cortese
Although Piedmont is famous for its red Nebbiolo wines, this northern region is also home to Cortese – the grape behind the region’s famous white, Gavi.
Gavi is valued for its well-balanced, refreshing nature and shine with enticing fruit flavours such as peach, apple, lemon and melon.
Like Pinot Grigio, these wines have a sharp acidity and a light to medium body, making them a popular choice for an aperitivo or paired with dishes that complement their subtle flavours. Ideal partners include light risottos, pasta dishes and a range of seafood – all dishes that allow Cortese’s flavours and acidity to shine.
Falanghina
Maybe one of Italy’s lesser-known white wines, Falanghina grapes thrive in the Campania region. Falanghina creates lively, bright wines with obvious aromas and a distinct minerality resulting from the grapes growing in fertile volcanic soil.
White wine lovers love Falanghina wines because of their rich floral and fruit notes, including apple, pear, citrus and the occasional sweet kick of tropical, honeyed fruit. Some may even detect a subtle hint of almond or a spicy undertone.
These flavours make Falanghina an ideal dinner date for seafood – think fish, mussels, scallops and linguine with clams. Pork, chicken and certain cured meats wouldn’t be out of place with a glass of Falanghina. The best Falanghina wines can benefit from two to three years in the cellar.
Garganega
Grown everywhere from the Alpine foothills to sun-drenched Sicily, Garganega is famous for being the primary grape in Soave wines, produced in the Veneto region in northeast Italy.
Typically, Garganega grapes make medium-bodied wines with high acidity and a heady mix of fresh peach, apricot and zesty lemon flavours.
Soave wines can vary from crisp and light to rich and full-bodied, depending on how they’re made. Occasionally aged in oak, the best Soave wines are matured on their lees (residual yeast cells), introducing a creamy texture and more complex flavours such as honey and vanilla.
The highest quality Soave wines, often from the Soave Classico DOC or Soave Superiore DOCG regions, offer a balanced combination of ripe fruit flavours and acidity. They feature a unique mineral quality from the volcanic soils in which the grapes are grown. These wines also have the potential to age well, often developing more complex, nutty and honeyed flavours over time.
As for food pairings, Soave is commonly paired with seafood because of its rich texture, citrus fruit notes and minerality. Other popular pairings include creamy chicken dishes and veal-based Cotoletta alla Milanese.
Lucido (Catarratto)
Previously known as Catarratto, Lucido is the grape behind Sicily’s most revered white wines. Despite the new moniker, its popularity among Italian wine drinkers remains unchanged. Lucido is commonly blended with Carricante, another of Sicily’s distinguished white wine grapes, to create easy-drinking, aromatic white wines.
Lucido wines are often characterised by their light to medium body and refreshing acidity. They have an aromatic profile, with appealing notes of stone fruit, apple and citrus with a touch of honeysuckle, almond and herbal undertones. Some versions may also hint at minerality, reflecting the volcanic soils commonly found in Sicily.
Pair Lucido with roasted or steamed fish, shellfish, soft cheeses and vegetable-laden vegetarian dishes.
Trebbiano
Trebbiano – known as Ugni Blanc in France – is notable for being one of the most widely planted grapes worldwide. It’s also a key component in the production of Vin Santo, a traditional Italian dessert wine.
While often seen as a workhorse grape for blends, it can produce elegant and refreshing single-varietal wines in the right hands. These light-bodied wines have high acidity and subtle fruit flavours of lemon, green apple and stone fruit, with citrus and white blossom aromas.
Trebbiano is the perfect pick for outdoor get-togethers and picnics or any time you want a light and easy-drinking wine. It’s a sure crowd-pleaser, especially when paired with a selection of antipasti or lightly grilled vegetables.
Verdicchio
Are you a fan of zesty and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc? Meet a new favourite – Verdicchio. Despite being a top contender for Italy’s best white wine, Verdicchio is often overlooked outside its home country. The grape hails from the Marche region in central Italy. Thanks to its high acidity, winemakers in this region can create a wide variety of wine styles, from still and sparkling to even sweet versions.
The most exceptional Verdicchio wines are from the Castelli di Jesi Classico sub-region. These wines can age beautifully, often for a decade or more. Regardless of style, Verdicchio wines often feature lovely almond hints and generous ripe citrus and mineral flavours.
Versatile Verdicchio pairs brilliantly with various foods, thanks to its high acidity and intricate flavours. Its zesty and mineral notes make it a perfect match for all kinds of seafood, including grilled fish and shellfish. It also complements poultry and white meats like chicken, turkey and pork, especially when cooked with herbs or citrus. Vegetarian dishes, from grilled vegetables to pasta with an olive oil sauce, work well with Verdicchio’s flavours. The wine also pairs nicely with mild to medium cheeses such as mozzarella, young pecorino or Feta.
Prosecco
Italy’s famous fizz, Prosecco, is a welcome guest at any party. Made from white Glera grapes in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions in northeast Italy, the most premium bottles of Prosecco are crafted in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG region.
Prosecco is loved for its fresh, vibrant taste and aromas. It is typically fruit-forward and floral, with dominant flavours of green apple, pear and honeydew melon with white flower aromas.
Prosecco is a surprisingly food-friendly sparkling wine, perfect as an aperitivo or served with a main course or dessert. It works well with salty, fried foods or spicy dishes – Thai noodles, fried calamari and seared tuna are delicious options. If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, opt for a glass with a fresh fruit salad, crème brûlée or cheesecake.
Other Italian wines you must try
Naturally, it doesn’t end here. There are dozens upon dozens of other Italian white wines to try, like Coda di Volpe, Greco, Arneis and Moscato, to name a few. Wherever you start, there’s a wealth of Italian wine to discover – saluti!
About the author
Sarah Turner
Sarah is a wine writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in the world of wine. She began her career in retail, passing the WSET Level 4 Diploma, before becoming a supermarket wine buyer and finally finding her home in our creative team. Her love of food, wine and travel has taken her all over the world, but she has a soft spot for Portugal’s Douro Valley and the sherries and tapas bars of Andalucia.
