I'm going to Italy and I'm looking forward to the wine, but I don't have experience chosing a wine, just drinking it. I know I like red wine that is not too dry, but what is that "officially called" or what specialties are good and recommended in Rome and Naples (that's where I'm going).<BR><BR>Can anyone help? I don't want to be completely ignorant when the waiter comes around with the wine list or starts spurting out names and types of wines I know nothing about.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Gabriela, you're not alone in wanting to understand wines and what's good. There was a thread here last year with a huge amount of advice by what seemed like experts. You might want to search although I can't remember any particular key word to use. In the meantime, go to your local library or bookstore and find Hugh Johnson's books. Just start reading and purchasing. If Hugh Johnson seems intimidating, go to the liquor store and pick up any books they have. Wander through the store reading and locating wines mentioned and the good years, buy them, take them home, put on some Italian music, drink the wine and dance under the moon. Oh sorry! - got carried away for a minute. I've picked up a wine guide (organized by country and region) at our really good liquor store and have used it to help me choose wines. I feel much more comfortable and can order in restaurants what I know I will like. As you get increasingly knowledgeable, you'll naturally expand your tasting and will eventually discover your favorite grapes. You can limit your research to the region you'll be visiting and become very knowledgeable in a short time. Or try a wine tasting class; a friend did that and he has always advised us well on selections - although I still don't know what terms to use to describe taste and aroma (flinty? really?) Have fun at it!

gabriela, buy a small wine guide - maybe hugh johnson - something with section on It. wines - take it with you. if you like reds, but not too heavy, look for anything from piemonte. In rome you can get whatever you like. but try a tuscan or two, the so-called super reds. 1997 was a brillant year, so try for that one - but expect to pay more. the whites from sicily or the veneto are very nice too. or you can simply go with thenhouse wine, especially in a nice restaurant. and by all means ask the waiter to propose something after you select your dishes. you can do so safely in most places. but get a small book, start there. make some notes, take them with you - and relax. the house wine can be very decent in most places, so give that a thought too. you do not have to be "perfect" - there is no such thing with wines - experiment, and take the wiater's advice. or look at what others are having. have a good trip.

When I started to learn about wine, I found the best primer to be the "Wine for Dummies" I always thought it was an obnoxious title. However, it is a really good resource. If you don't want to buy the book, "browse" through a copy at a book store.<BR><BR>The do have a section on Italian Wines that talks about the different regions, the type of wine from each region, and the quality. <BR><BR>If the labeling system is like French wines, the key to understanding the quality is the specificity of the location it is from. In France, all wine labels read Appellation (PLACE NAME) Controllee. The more specific the place name, the higher the quality of the vinyard.

thank you all.

I have been in the wine business for almost 25 years. The only way to find out what you like is for you to drink different wines and then make note of what you like and dont like. Having said that, here are a few words of advice concerning wines you may encounter in Roma and Napoli.<BR><BR>Roma will have a more national feeel to the wines you will run into as there is not much great red wine made local to Roma. Many restaurants will ahve a good representation of wines from Toscana and Piemonte. From these regions, look for Rosso di Montalcino and Morellino di Scansano. Both of these wines are reds with a juicy or fruit forward flavor profile. Look for the Rosso di Montalcino from Argiano and Constanti. Both are particularly soft in style. From Piemonte you should do well with Dolcetto d'Alba. From the Veneto, you may like Valpolicella, especially from the producers Allegrini or Speri. Another red you may see commonly are Sangiovese di Romagna.<BR><BR>Farther south some nice reds in a less dry style are Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Salice Salentino. Look for producers like (M d'A) Illuminatti and (SS) Dr Taurino. In Napoli, the reds tend to be big and a little heavy and/or rustic in style. The main grape is Aglianico. You may see Taurasi as well. Many communities make a local red that will go under the name of that area. You might see an Amalfitant Rosso etc. These tend to be fresh and simple. I prefer the whites of Campania, especially that of Ischia. These are not the more intensly fruity wines like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc from California, but crisp and refreshing wines just perfect for seafood. <BR><BR>Lastly a word or two about vintages. 1997 is a superb year, especially in Toscana. But it is a good year just about anywhere in Italy. However, many wines now available from that year are bigger structured, richer wines that may be "too dry" or tannic for your tastes. I would suggest sticking to younger wines. 1999 and 2000 are both good years. I would shy away from 1998 as the wines are light and thin in general. You should try a Chianti Classico from 1997 while you are there. <BR><BR>A fun thing to do is to go into a wine bar and try several wines by the glass. Most shops will elt you taste as well. Tell the proprietor if the wine needs to be smoother or lighter and they will guide you to something that will suit your taste.

Dean,<BR><BR>You are a wonderful man. I refer to your Rome and Toscana postings all the time as I prepare for my upcoming trip. But your answer to this thread is so practical and concise and "on the money" that I had to compliment you on it. Bravo!

In response to Ryan...<BR><BR>In Italy the labeling to look for is DOCG, I took a wine class in college and learned this, but since I don't speak Italian I have no idea what it actually stands for! I just know that DOC or DOCG means the wine is made with the highest standards in Italy. <BR><BR>(however, that does not mean non-DOCG wines are any lesser... did I confuse you enough yet?)

Gabriela, girl, you just need to drink more wine! AND ask questions about what you're drinking.<BR><BR>The more varieties you sample, the more you will be able to distinguish the differences. Study the labels, note the years, etc. This is really fun learning! You will probably expand your tastes too. If you don't like dry whites, maybe you just haven't had a really good one yet. <BR><BR>Buon viaggio!

I love wine but really don't know that much about them. So usually when I can't ask questions (when I don't speak the language) I usually drink the house wine OR just pick one and try it.<BR><BR>Maybe I am tacky but 2 years ago on our honeymoon we went all through France and Italy and drank lots of different wines - some good, some not so good, but it was fun just trying things.

Dean,<BR><BR>Nice post!<BR><BR>In my own simple manner allow me to sum it up in one word....<BR><BR>Brunello di Mantalcino!<BR><BR>It is truly the nectar of the gods and my favorite is Castelo Banfi.<BR><BR>Try that and you cannot go wrong!

US<BR><BR>Brunelli are wonderful but for someone asking for a red thats "not too dry" it would prpbably be too much. However, since you love brunello, try the one from Aggiolas. Look for 1995 and soon for 1997. Banfi is pretty much a factory made wine. Good enough. But Argiolas is an estate bottled wine. It is owned by a huge wine company but the estate is left to its iwn devices with plenty of money backing it up.<BR><BR>Winelover, DOCG is Denomizione d'Orgine Controllata e Guarantezia or something to that effect. It means that the place name of the wine is protected and the style of the wine is guaranteed by the DOC. DOCG is no guarantee that the wine is of a particular quality, but that it represents the area where it comes from and that it is made according to the rules governing thee area.. Some wineries do not apply for OCG for political reasons or because the DOCG does not reflect the style of winemaking they wish to pursue. <BR><BR>There is no one thing to look for on a wine label that will guarantee that you will like the wine. You have to taste. When you find a wine you like, write the name down completely and show it to domeone who knows wine and ask tham what they would think you would like based on liking that wine. This is the best way to learn.

Dean,<BR><BR>thank you. I'll try it!<BR><BR>US

Dean, as usual, your advice is excellent!<BR><BR>What part of the industry are you in?<BR><BR>

right now I am a collector and drinker, the most fun part. Formerly I was wine buyer for Whole Foods Market in southern California. Before that I was wine buyer for several restaurants such as Vida and the Angeli restaurant group in Los Angeles. I have also been in retail and wholesale wine sales.

For a light red wine order a Lambrusco. It is light and fruity and my be a little spritzy. It is of a modest price. A sturdier modest price wine would be a Valpolicella. For an inexpensive white in Rome order Est Est Est and you will surprise the waiter. While I have no knowledge of them, wines near Naples are Capri and Lachryma Christi and the white Etna from Sicily. In general the best wines are from nothern Italy. The king is a Barolo from Piedmont and in your case you might like the lighter Barbaresco. In the early days my wife and I would drink a bottle of Est Est Est and Lambrusco at one meal. They are very easy wines. My wife loves their boiled dinner when she can find it with a salsa verde. They bring to the table a large container of boiled meats such a chicken, tongue, and beef that they slice for you. I like lamb stew. I know the names in Italian but I can't spell them.

Uncle Sam... the BRunello is Argiano. Argolas is a fine Sicilian red., not a brunello

Thanks Dean and all of you for the helpfull information.

There is a very simple solution if you have simple tastes in wine in Italy. Just order the house red. It will be a simple red not too dry. They will bring it in a half liter or liter pitcher and it may literally cost less than bottled water.<BR>It will be as good as half the chiantis you buy here. Do not confuse this with a house wine from the US or a jug wine from here. Of course being in Italy make all the wine taste better. Like beer and hot dogs at the ballpark.

Oh and no offense to Dean I am also printing his recommendations.