Quite Simply the Best Italian Wine of 2021
Carl Rogers
February 16, 2021
Steeped in rich traditions and vibrant culture, Italian wine is known the world over for its carefully cultivated flavors and luxurious quality.
It is no accident that Italy has remained one of the world’s most prominent producers of wines — its famous rolling hillsides and moderate climate are perfectly suited to viticulture of the highest quality.
As such, Italy is home to some of the most storied wine-producing regions and vineyards on earth.
Aligned with this history of excellence is Wine by Lamborghini. From the beautiful estate La Fiorita — which rests near the sweeping Lake Trasimeno in Umbria — the Lamborghini family has spent decades developing modern wines of the highest standards.
Even among the illustrious Italian wines that emerge from the region, Wine by Lamborghini stands out as a gem. Wines from Lamborghini's vineyards have been lauded as “one of the most spectacular wines made in Italy” by International Wine Critic Robert Parker, among others.
Best Italian Wines of 2021
When it comes to selecting libations, wines from Italy are certainly the crème de la crème — but which to choose? While there are many options, we love these top-notch choices from Lambhorgini’s vineyards — which cultivates its product in one of the best wine regions in Italy. Without further ado, here are the best Italian wines of 2021:
Centanni Umbria: Best Wine in Italy
The distinguished Centanni Umbria was created as an ode to the late Ferruccio Lamborghini’s 100th birthday. It offers a spirited reflection of the Umbria region with vibrant floral notes, surprising minerality, and juicy stone fruit flavors. We enjoy this wine with classic roasted dishes, like a savory rack of lamb with cooked mushrooms.
Any wine aficionado will appreciate the luxury and timelessness of this rich red wine. Centanni Umbria provides the perfect glass of wine for a warm summer evening — its nuanced flavors hearken to the sun, breeze, and unparalleled craftsmanship of the Umbria region.
Torami Umbria: The Red Wine of Italy
A bold blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Torami Umbria is a singular red wine that combines the classic elegance of Italian wines with a streak of rebellion. This union of modern and traditional begins with the growing process — with some of the grapes hailing from vineyards planted in the 1970s and others growing in newer plantations. The fruit is then macerated for no less than eighteen days before fermenting in stainless steel tanks.
Finally, the flavors continue to deepen during a resting period of ten months, during which time the wine ages in French oak barrels before being bottled and cellared. Of the multidimensional flavor, International Wine Critic James Suckling writes that the Torami is “a generous blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Montepulciano. It’s full-bodied, with round, silky tannins and lots of juicy fruit. Chocolate shavings as well in the aftertaste....so delicious.”
Campoleone Umbria Rosso: Italian Merlot and Sangivoese
The Campoleone Umbria Rosso is a critically-acclaimed Umbrian red that marries the best qualities of Sangiovese and Merlot. We appreciate the elegance of this wine, which is elevated by its ink-black color and vibrant blackberry and cherry tones. This delightfully complex wine has been featured by Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and The Wine Advocate, who said, "The Campoleone is the best I have tasted thus far. I look forward to revisiting this wine in six or seven years when it has completed its evolution."
James Suckling applauds the “fabulous aromas of ripe, dark fruits, spices and milk chocolate.” Of the wine, he says, “It’s full-bodied, with super-velvety tannins and a lot of ripe fruits. It goes on for minutes."
Types of Italian Wines
Produced with over 589 unique types of grapes, the wines of Italy offer a more diverse selection of wines than any other region in the world. Italy’s wines are perhaps most famous for creating wines made from its vibrant indigenous grapes. When it comes to discerning types of Italian wines, we can distill them into three basic categories:
Orvieto
From the Umbria region, Orvieto is created from Grechetto grapes that imbue it with crisp pear and apple flavors. While you certainly can’t go wrong with a refreshing Italian white wine, we suggest Centanni Grechetto Umbria White from Lamborghini. This excellent wine comes highly recommended by wine drinkers worldwide. Italian wine aficionados praise the unique quality of this selection.
Italian White Wines
The white wines of Italy range from crisp and dry to sweet and sparkling. The major wines in this category include:
Asti
Made from Moscato grapes from the popular Asti region, this white wine is subtly sweet and low in alcohol making it a popular choice for beginners new to Italian wine. Asti features floral or fruity flavors and is best consumed when fresh and youthful.
Frascati
Produced just south of Rome from the lovely Trebbiano grapes, this dry and light wine features crispness, acidity, and a lovely subdued quality.
Gavi
Delicately oaky with notes of honey and apple harvests that is pleasant on the palletes. Gavi is a medium-bodied wine made from Cortese grapes from Piedmont that has become increasingly popular for Italian wine lovers.
Pinot Grigio
This classic wine is made from Pinot Gris grapes from the Northeastern terroirs of Italy. We love Pinot Grigio for its unmistakable dry and crisp flavors. There is no oak flavors in this wine in Italy.
Soave
Made from Garganega grapes, a Soave features unique peach, pear, or apple flavors from the Soave zone in Veneto.
Verdicchio
Verdicchio brings forth the freshness of a sea breeze with the mineral-forward flavor of the Marche region.
Italian Red Wines
Red wines from Italy conjure perhaps the most classic images of the region — rolling vineyards, ruby glasses of wine, and rich Italian meals. The primary types of Italian red wines include:
Amarone
Made with Corvina grapes of the Veneto region, Amarone is full-bodied, dry, and intensely fruity. In our experience, a glass of Amarone pairs perfectly with indulgent savory dishes and charcuteries.
Barbaresco
Barbarescos are a lighter-bodied, easy-to-drink wine that is best enjoyed upwards of seven years of age. This is a popular Italian wine for beginners.
Barbera
Cultivated in Piedmont, Barbera wines offer a vibrant berry flavor, coupled with few tannins and bold acidity. We recommend Barbera for its diverse pairing abilities.
Barolo
The Barolo is known for its complexity of flavors and aromas, featuring herbs, berries, and earth tones. Barolos are best drunk between ten and twenty years of age.
Brunello di Montalcino
This intense wine hails from the Montalcino zone in Tuscany and is known for its high levels of tannins and dry flavors.
Chianti
Tart, dry, and medium-bodied, this primarily Sangiovese wine is best enjoyed young, unless it is labeled riserva for the purpose of aging. Very popular among the wines of Italy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The best Montepulciano d’Abruzzos are intense and concentrated. They typically highlight red fruit flavors with subtle herbal notes.
Salice Salentino
From the Puglia region, Salice Salentino wines are bold and plummy. We suggest pairing this Negroamaro varietal with a full-flavored meal.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella brings the cherry flavors of the Veneto region to the drinker. This wine is typically medium-bodied and created from Corvina grapes.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
This lean and dry wine originates in the Tuscany region and is reminiscent of the cherry flavors of a classic Chianti.
Italian Sparkling Wine
Few can resist the sparkle of a quality Italian sparkling wine. Italy’s sparkling wines include:
Prosecco
Proseccos are a well-known sparkling wine, beloved for their tart flavors and distinct effervescent quality. Prosecco originates in the Veneto region of Italy. We recommend an extra-dry selection, like this Lamborghini Gold.
Asti Spumante
From the Asti region, Spumantes offer a low alcohol content and lingering sweetness, which pairs well with fatty or salty foods.
Franciacorta
Created in Northern Italy, Franciacorta grapes share similar qualities with those used to make Champagne. However, this unique sparkler is less mineral than Champagne and less fruity than Prosecco.
Lambrusco
Lambruscos are red, sweet, and effervescent and feature a strong grape flavor. Its grapes are cultivated in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Best Wine Regions in Italy
Italy’s wines are as loved for their diversity of style and history of excellence as they are for the beautiful, sun kissed homeland. The most prestigious wine regions in Italy include:
Umbria Central: Italy's Best Wine
Umbria is located in central Italy and is the birthplace of some of the best wines in the region. Umbria features a romantic, hilly landscape, which is framed by the picturesque Apennine mountains. This prestigious region produces vibrant Sangiovese reds — like the Era Umbria Rosso— as well as elegant sparkling wines like the Brut Vino Spumante.
Tuscany by the Tyrrhenian Sea
A symbol of Italian culture, Tuscany is a rolling countryside that reaches to the coast of the azure Tyrrhenian Sea. Tuscany is famous for its Sangiovese reds, like the Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino. Perhaps as much as its reds, Tuscany is beloved for its white wines from the Vernaccia di San Gimignano region.
Sicily: the Mediterranean Island
Sicily is the most prominent island in the Meditteranean, and its climate is as gorgeous and warm as you might imagine — making it perfect for viticulture. This region produces fruity Reds from Nero d’Avola and juicy peach flavors in its Whites from Grillo.
Conclusion
Italian wine has great history, culture, flavors, and a full array of wines. If you are looking for quality Italian wines then look no further to Lamborghini wine. You will find every type of Italian wine with revel twist. Taste the best wine regions in Italy or send as the perfect gift!