Italy is a treasure chest of native grapes. While France is known for classics like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Italy quietly grows more than 500 distinct varietals — many of them found nowhere else on earth. For UK wine lovers, that means an enormous world of flavour waiting to be explored, far beyond the familiar Pinot Grigio and Chianti.
The challenge? Knowing where to start.
This guide introduces 12 essential Italian grape varieties that every UK drinker should know about — a balanced mix of crisp whites, expressive reds and a few hidden gems. Each section explains what the grape tastes like, where it grows best, what it pairs with, and includes a real bottle available right now from Donzella Wines so you can experience the grape for yourself.
Whether you’re expanding your palate, looking for new food pairings, or simply want to understand Italian wine better, this guide is your perfect starting point.
The Must-Know Italian Whites
1. Glera – The Sparkling Heart of Prosecco
Few grapes have captured the British public’s imagination like Glera, the star behind Prosecco. Light, crisp and gently aromatic, it offers flavours of pear, white peach and apple, with a soft, refreshing sparkle that works beautifully as an aperitivo or for celebrations.
Good Prosecco isn’t overly sweet or heavy — it’s clean, elegant and incredibly easy to drink. That’s why Glera has become such a staple in UK fridges.
Taste profile: pear • green apple • white blossom • delicate bubbles
Best with: tempura prawns, light salads, salty snacks, olives, or a simple Friday night wind-down
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Try the fresh, fragrant Prosecco DOC Boron 2022 — a brilliant example of pure, elegant Glera.
Pinot Grigio – Italy’s Crisp, Refreshing Classic
Pinot Grigio remains one of the UK’s favourite whites, but not all bottles are created equal. High-quality Italian Pinot Grigio, especially from the delle Venezie DOC, is a world away from the bland supermarket versions.
The best examples — like the one below — are clean, citrus-driven and refreshing, with notes of lemon zest, pear and soft minerality.
Taste profile: lemon • pear • melon • mineral
Best with: fish and chips (surprisingly perfect), creamy pasta, summery salads, light chicken dishes
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The Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie 2022 by Famiglia Boron shows exactly why this grape is so loved.
3. Trebbiano – Abruzzo’s Everyday Hero
Trebbiano is widely planted across Italy, but the wines of Abruzzo stand out for their purity and freshness. Think gentle peach, subtle florals and an easy, rounded finish. It’s a brilliant everyday white and a fantastic introduction to central Italy.
Trebbiano is also incredibly versatile with food — one of the reasons it’s found on so many Italian family tables.
Taste profile: peach • blossom • soft citrus • gentle acidity
Best with: risotto, poached fish, grilled vegetables, mild cheeses
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This organic Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2023 (1.5L) from Vigna Madre shows just how elegant Trebbiano can be.
4. Cortese – The Sophistication of Gavi
Cortese is the grape behind the famous wines of Gavi, in Piedmont. Crisp, mineral and beautifully balanced, it’s a superb upgrade for anyone who enjoys Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño.
Expect bright citrus, hints of almond and a clean, refined finish — perfect with seafood.
Taste profile: citrus peel • green apple • almond • mineral edge
Best with: seabass, sushi, grilled king prawns, creamy pasta sauces
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This Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG 2024 is a premium example of Cortese at its freshest.
5. Verdicchio – Italy’s Underrated White Gem
For many UK drinkers, Verdicchio is still a hidden secret — but it shouldn’t be. From the hills of Marche, this grape produces structured, food-friendly white wines with notes of green apple, citrus and a touch of nuttiness.
It’s one of the few Italian whites that can age beautifully, developing honeyed and complex layers over time.
Taste profile: green apple • citrus • almond • saline finish
Best with: roast chicken, seafood pasta, antipasti boards
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This organic Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Risveglio” 2024 is a stunning showcase of the grape’s depth.
The Essential Italian Reds
6. Lacrima – The Perfumed Beauty of Marche
Lacrima di Morro d’Alba is one of Italy’s most aromatic red grapes. Intensely perfumed — almost floral — it delivers flavours of black cherry, rose petals and spice. If you enjoy elegant, fragrant reds, Lacrima is a must-try.
It’s completely different from the usual Italian reds UK buyers encounter, making it a memorable discovery.
Taste profile: cherry • rose • violet • warming spice
Best with: charcuterie, roast duck, aromatic dishes, soft cheeses
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The Essenza del Pozzo Buono 2020 (Vicari) is a benchmark example from one of the region’s top producers.
7. Sangiovese – The Soul of Tuscany
Sangiovese is the grape behind Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and many other classics. It’s arguably Italy’s most important red grape — bright, savoury, food-friendly and perfect for the British palate.
Expect cherry, red currant, herbs and a gentle earthy edge.
Taste profile: sour cherry • tomato leaf • herbs • subtle spice
Best with: pizza, lasagne, roast lamb, tomato-based pasta
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This Chianti DOCG Florentine Hills 2023 offers classic Sangiovese character with a modern, polished finish.
8. Montepulciano – Abruzzo’s Bold, Reliable Red
Montepulciano is one of Italy’s most generous and approachable red grapes. Soft, deeply coloured and full of ripe dark fruit, it’s ideal for cosy evenings or hearty meals.
Despite its richness, it’s incredibly smooth — one reason it has quietly become a favourite across the UK.
Taste profile: blackberry • plum • cocoa • silky tannins
Best with: bolognese, steak pie, grilled meats, mature cheddar
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The Nobu 1830 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2018 shows real depth and elegance thanks to extended ageing.
9. Aglianico – The Barolo of the South
Often called “the Barolo of the South”, Aglianico produces some of Italy’s most impressive and age-worthy reds. Grown in the volcanic soils of Campania and Basilicata, it delivers dark fruit, tobacco, spice and firm structure.
It’s bold, complex and made for slow-cooked dishes — ideal for British autumn and winter meals.
Taste profile: black cherry • tobacco • leather • spice • firm tannins
Best with: slow-braised beef, lamb shanks, game dishes, rich stews
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This aged Peta Ciato Riserva Rosso DOC Molise 2013 is a fantastic example of mature Aglianico character.
10. Primitivo – Puglia’s Juicy, Sun-Soaked Red
Primitivo is the sibling of Zinfandel, and it thrives in the hot, sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia. Expect rich, warm flavours of plum, blackberry and sweet spice. It’s bold, fruit-forward and incredibly satisfying.
If you enjoy full-bodied reds, Primitivo is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Taste profile: plum • blackberry • cinnamon • chocolate
Best with: barbecues, spicy dishes, burgers, hard cheeses
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The organic Recastro Primitivo 2022 is packed with ripe fruit and velvety depth.
11. Nero d’Avola – The Pride of Sicily
Nero d’Avola is Sicily’s most famous grape — bold, rich and brimming with dark fruits and Mediterranean warmth. It combines the body of a New World wine with classic Italian savouriness, making it perfect for UK drinkers transitioning into more adventurous reds.
Taste profile: black cherry • liquorice • cocoa • warm spice
Best with: barbecue meats, mature cheeses, tomato-based dishes
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The Cantine Pupillo “Re Federico” 2022 shows Nero d’Avola at its most refined and expressive.
12. Syrah – Tuscany’s Bold, Unexpected Red
While Syrah is better known in France and Australia, the Tuscan expression offers something uniquely Italian: dark fruit, spice and structure, but with a savoury, Old-World edge.
It’s a brilliant alternative for UK drinkers who enjoy Shiraz but want something more refined and food-friendly.
Taste profile: black pepper • blackberry • smoke • dark cherry
Best with: roast beef, chargrilled steak, venison, pepper sauces
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This Syrah Casentino IGT 2019 is a rich, bold Tuscan red with real depth.
Final Thoughts — Exploring Italy, One Grape at a Time
Italian wine can feel overwhelming at first, simply because there is so much to discover. But once you start exploring grape by grape, region by region, a whole world of flavour opens up.
From the elegant sparkle of Glera to the volcanic depth of Aglianico, these 12 grapes offer a genuine taste of Italy’s diversity — and each one brings something unique to the British table.
If you’re looking to expand your palate, pair Italian wines with home-cooked meals, or simply understand what you’re drinking, this guide is your perfect starting point. And with each grape linked to a bottle available through Donzella Wines, you can taste your way through Italy from the comfort of home.
