Valle d'Aosta

Viticulture in the Valle d'Aosta is truly "heroic", yet in this Region producers succeed in making fine wines in spite of the difficulties (the climate, mountainous terrain and stony soils) that Nature puts in their way. The cold night temperatures at high altitude, though, favor the extraction of extraordinary perfumes, and the rugged indigenous varieties Fumin, Blanc de Morgex and Petite Arvine - cultivated using Guyot training in order to take advantage of every possible ray of sunshine - are grown alongside Chardonnay and Gamay to yield enological gems of extremely high quality.

Piedmont

The Alps and the plain, connected by mighty rivers: that, in brief, is a summary of the vine-growing situation in Piedmont, in which the hills of the Monferrato and the Langhe, with their particular microclimates, represent the variables that gives distinctive characteristics to each wine. This is the land of Nebbiolo, the noble begetter of Barolo and Barbaresco, which produces wines of outstandingly high quality; but it is also that of Barbera and Dolcetto, grapes that have now been revalued by a new wave of young and innovative producers. Look out, too, for the emerging indigenous white varieties, Favorita and Timorasso.

Lombardy

This Region produces a broad range of wine styles, including as it does high mountains and wide valleys but also gentle hillsides that slope down towards the lakes. Each of these natural features has its own particular climate and soils, leading to a number of very diverse and distinctive terroirs. From the Valtellina to Franciacorta and from Lake Garda to the Oltrepo Pavese, Nebbiolo (here known as Chiavennasca), Chardonnay, Croatina and Groppello contribute towards creating wines that are sometimes inconsistent, but often unforgettable. The producers' decision to follow the quality path is clearly bearing its fruits.

Trentino

The vineyards of Trentino, clinging to the sloping sides of the narrow valleys, benefit from a temperate climate; this is assisted by the rocky subsoil, which prevents damage during the bitter winters, and by cool nighttime temperatures, which guarantee excellent bouquets. In certain cases (we are thinking of Teroldego, of the Rotaliano Plain or of the Marzemino from Isera) high levels of quality and typicity are being obtained, which in the past were forsaken in favor of quantity. Also worthy of interest are the Val di Cembra (an ideal habitat for Müller-Thurgau) and the splendid Chardonnay-based sparkling wines of the Trento D.O.C..

Alto Adige

The rural landscape of the Alto Adige is as carefully tended as a garden. Here the vine finds room for itself in a masterly, well-ordered manner: the result gives joy to our senses. On the slopes of majestic mountains lie vineyards that are as elegant as the wines they yield, and which benefit from a mild climate and from temperature ranges that encourage the development of attractive scent components. This is the ideal area for the seductive Pinot Nero and its siblings, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco, but also for Chardonnay and Sauvignon and for highly-prized indigenous varieties like Lagrein (which stars in the porphyritic soils around Bolzano) and the excitingly aromatic Moscato Rosa.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

What a variety of terroirs in a Region that is - all things considered - not all that large in geographical terms! There are plains that are ventilated by perfumed sea breezes, rugged mountains and gentle hillsides: all of which also benefit from a sense of quality that the vignerons of Friuli seem to have in their blood and that represents a real philosophy of life for them. This is a land of outstanding white wines, in which the grape variety (whether it be "international" or indigenous) invariably expresses its full potential. But alongside the great Tocais, Chardonnays, Sauvignons and Ribollas, some big, concentrated reds are making their mark, too, such as Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and the local versions of Merlot and Cabernet. One should also look out for Malvasia Istriana, Pignolo and the rare Picolit.

The Veneto

As in many other Regions, producers here too are finally seeking to pay more heed to quality than quantity. They are devoting admirable care to their vineyards and renewed attention to winemaking practices. The Veneto's grapes benefit from very varied climatic and soil conditions, with micro-zones that are ideal for growing grapes and which are staking all on preserving their typical wine styles. This is the case of Valdobbiadene with its Prosecco, of Valpolicella (with Amarone and its kin), but also of Gambellara with its Garganega, or Breganze with its perfumed Vespaiolo. The Eastern Veneto is also making great progress, particularly with regard to Malbec.