For a long time, Italian white wines have been overshadowed by the country’s famous reds, however, according to Forbes, they are among the best whites from around the world. For this reason, the magazine compiled a list of “Italy’s 50 Best White Wines”, but because they are all too distinctive to possibly rank them 1-50, it was decided to present them in groups of 10. So, here are in alphabetical order the top 10 Italian whites.
Vigne Marina Coppi “Fausto” (Piedmont) – Produced in Castelania (Alessandria), this wine made from Timorasso grapes highlights the natural qualities of this rare grape variety. Complex, elegant aromas, red blood in the body of a white, minerality, flavor, warmth, and freshness.
Marisa Cuomo “Fiorduva” (Campania) – Produced in Furore (Salerno), this award-winning white is made with Fenile, Ginestra, and Ripoli varieties grown on Coastal terraces set 200/550 meters above the Amalfi Coast. It is a powerful bright yellow wine with golden hues with a smooth dense taste.
Andrea Felici Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva “Il Cantico della Figura” (Marche) – Produced in Apiro (Macerata) from 100% Verdicchio vines that are 50 years old, this exceptional length wine is cement-fermented and aged 6 months in bottles before being released into the market.
Livio Felluga “Terre Alte” (Friuli) – Produced in Rosazzo (Udine), this prestigious and elegant wine with intense fruit and flower aromas in a blend of three grapes. Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon mature in stainless steel while the Friulano stays in small oak casks. After aging for ten months, the wines are blended and bottled before aging for a further 9 months.
Pieropan Soave Classico “Calvarino” (Veneto) – Produced in Soave (Verona), this classic profile wile is a blend of 70% 30-60-year-old Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave grown organically on basalt-based soils on a steep vineyard – 200 to 300 m asl.
Petilia Greco di Tufo (Campania) – Produced in Altavilla Irpina (Avellino) with 100% Greco di Tufo that are 20 years old, this pure and harmonious white is the brainchild of Teresa Bruno, an entrepreneur who grew up among vineyards and tractors, and councilor of the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Irpinia.
Pietracupa Greco di Tufo (Campania) – Produced in Pietracupa (Campobasso), this Greco di Tufo for years has been listed as the absolute best Italian white wine. It is an aromatic wine made with 100% Greco grapes developed by the young and talented Sabino “Sammy Bruno” Loffredo.
Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Riserva “Vorberg” (Alto Adige) – Produced in Monzoccolo (Bolzano) from grapes grown on steep and sunny vineyards at altitudes between 450 and 950 meters above sea-level, this complex and dazzling Pinot Bianco is a rich and highly complex wine with impressive minerality.
Cantina Tramin Gewürztraminer “Nussbaumer” (Trentino Alto Adige) – Produced in Termeno (Bolzano) this white has been defined as “simply hedonistic”. It is matured in small steel for 11 months before being aged in the bottle for another 4 months.
Valentini Trebbiano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo) – Produced in Loreto Aprutino (Pescara) this powerful, distinctive and expressive wine, with unique flavors and intense mineral elements is one of the only three produced by the winery.