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ITALIAN DRINKS

Marche Found on the eastern edge of Central Italy,Marche’s best-known wine is Verdicchio, a dry white made from the “little green”grape of the same name. Only a few of the wines produced here are sold in America. Umbria Bordering Tuscany and just above Rome, Umbria has two DOCG wines: Torgiano Rosso Riserva and Montefalco Sagrantino. Torgiano is mostly produced with Sangiovese grapes. The highly tannic Montefalco is made with 100 percent Sagrantino grapes. Latium If you’re in the Latium region, which once gave birth to the Roman Empire, you’re probably more interested in seeing the Pope than drinking wine. Still, why limit yourself? Locals have been cultivating grapes here for millennia, and the most celebrated wine in Latium is Frascati Superiore, a white wine. Campania Choices from the up-and-coming wine region of Campania are getting better by the day. Falanghina, Fianco and Greco di Tufo are the most popular whites, but Campania’s most important variety is arguably Aglianico, a red grape used to make Taurasi and Aglianico. Basilicata There are four DOC appellations in Basilicata, the most fertile of which is the Vulture area. Aglianico del Vulture — a red wine based on the Aglianico grape — is produced here, and Aglianico del Vulture Superiore has been recently promoted to the lofty level of DOCG. Southern Regions

Calabria The toe of Italy’s boot, Calabria is an emerging wine region, with whites made mostly from Greco Bianco, a grape widely found in Southern Italy. Other wines are produced from the Gaglioppo grape, a variety best known for producing soft, rounded reds. Both grapes are of Greek origin. Apulia In Italy’s heel, Apulia has four DOCGs and 29 DOCs — more than any other region in the south. Its best-known wines are Primitivo di Manduria, a DOC made from Primitivo grapes, and Salice Salentino, which is produced with Negroamaro, a red grape local to the area since at least the sixth century B.C. Sicily Italy’s largest island has perfect conditions for growing wine, and hosts more vineyards than any other region in Italy. Sicily produces enormous amounts of wine, most of it white.There are many DOC areas in Sicily, but only one DOCG: Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which produces a red made with the island’s Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes. Our Sommelier suggests Zisola Nero d’Avola. Sardinia This island off the west coast of mainland Italy is home to Sella & Mosca,whichisamongItaly’smostoutstandingwineestates.Sardinia’s best whites are made with Vermentino, a light-skinned grape. The most celebrated of the Vermentino whites is Vermentino di Gallura, a DOCG. Its best reds are produced with Cannonau — the local name for the Grenache grape. Other important Sardinian grapes are Carignano, Bovale Sardo and Monica. Our Sommelier suggests Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva.

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