Ira, you are referring to Valpolicella Classico which is a low-priced wine of the region that is widely sold in the US and perhaps the one that you are most familiar with. Years ago that is the wine that gave Valpolicella a bad name here in the US. But not representative today of Valpolicella in general. Anyway, my advice to the poster would be to drink the wine of the region she of he will be visiting....

"Although I have been in English pubs where ordering something non-alcoholic provoked a dismissive sneer"

Really Nessumdorma? It's very common for people to order non-alcoholic drinks in pubs in the UK. Was this a long time ago?

Are there ciders in Italy? There are wonderful ones in France and the UK.

Keith

Cider isn't particularly low-alcohol (usually somewhat stronger than an average beer), though I certainly won't disagree with its deliciousness.

I have never seen cider in Italy, although maybe in the Alpine areas there are apples grown for this purpose.

In Spain, there is a delicious drink called a "clara" or a "clarita." In the UK I believe it is called a Shandy. . . anyways, it is beer with lemon fanta and it is great for beginners.