| It may come as a big surprise to you that more | | | | Malvasia and Sangiovese? These are marvelous |
| wine is produced in Italy than any other country in | | | | wines, and the little known Malvasia is superb. |
| the world, but this information will come as no | | | | There are more different types of vine grown in |
| surprise to Italians. Wine making in Italy has been | | | | Italy than any other country, and Italy can truly |
| raised to the level of an art form. One that is | | | | be awarded the accolade of wine growing country |
| passed down from generation to generation | | | | of the world. The French, Germans and all of the |
| throughout many decades. The climate and the | | | | New World Australian and American wine |
| disparity of the region is such that there is a very | | | | producing areas pale into insignificance when |
| large variety of grapes available for wine making. | | | | compared to Italy. At least for volume. |
| More so than anywhere else in the world. | | | | The Italian vines are said to have brought by the |
| The majority of this production is done in the | | | | Greeks. "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" is the |
| world famous region of Tuscany. Tuscany can be | | | | saying, but if true then these gifts were welcome |
| found right in the center of Italy. The famous | | | | and did nothing but good. The success of Italian |
| fashion capital Milan is far to the north, near the | | | | wine growing is due to its geography and climate. |
| borders of France and Switzerland, while Rome is | | | | The Apennines run right down the backbone of |
| a little to the south. Tuscany is a jewel set | | | | Italy, with beautiful hot Mediterranean conditions at |
| between the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west and the | | | | the bottom ranging to more continental and then |
| Apennines mountain range on the east. It consists | | | | a fairly cold climate towards the Alps. |
| of ten provinces, one of which is Pisa. A city | | | | This geography provides every type of climate |
| famous for it's Leaning Tower. The capital city is | | | | possible for growing grapes, and the cold loving |
| Florence. | | | | vines and those larger and juicier grapes that |
| Wine making in Tuscany is just as historic as | | | | prefer more heat are all well catered for. It never |
| Italy's architecture and art. A history that extends | | | | gets too dry, and never gets too wet. Were you |
| as far back as the beginning of time. | | | | to personally design a country and climate ideal |
| Everybody has heard of the well-known wines | | | | for growing just about every variety of grapes, |
| such as Chianti from Tuscany, Valpolicella and | | | | you would end up with Italy. |
| Soave, but what about the marvelous Rondinella, | | | | |