When we talk about world-class wine producers, we can fall into the temptation of thinking that the primacy belongs to France. Instead, it is not so: Italy is the largest producer of wine in the world, with almost fifty million hectoliters bottled every year.
Wine production in Italy: some data from the Observatory of Wine
According to data from theOsservatorio del Vino di Unione Italiana Vini, the tricolor boot holds the record as the world’s largest wine producer. The ranking compiled by the Observatory sees, in fact, Italy in first place followed by France, Spain, the United States and Australia. In other words, Italy produces about one fifth of the world’s wine.
As for the total area of land dedicated to vineyards, ‘Italy , despite being in the lead of producers, ranks fourth, after Spain, France and China. Considering that our territory is smaller than that of the other States mentioned, the fourth position is to be considered a success.
Also with regard to the sales sector, the Italian boot boasts exceptional results with a growing turnover of about 7.5% on an annual basis and an average price per liter that is around 3.52 euros. The most beloved Italian wines are those defined as “firm”, representing 77% of the choices, followed by sparkling and semi-sparkling wines.
Wine production in Italy: a regional analysis
A data that is not surprising is that of Veneto, a region that maintains its record at the national level with a growth of 7% compared to the previous year. On the other hand, it is surprising that Lombardy occupies the second position among the regions with the highest wine production in the country, with an increase of 18% compared to last year.
An interesting growth has also been observed for the wine production of Abruzzo and Emilia Romagna.
Tuscany, however, ranks in seventh place but has on its side another very important aspect: the indisputable quality of its wines that reaches remarkable peaks also for this vintage.
Italian wines, growing interest in organic
The organic viticulture is getting a lot of support in recent years and represents a strong trend among Italian producers. TheItaly ranks third in terms of the extension of the areas cultivated biologically, with 2139 wineries engaged in the development of this sector in great growth. Among the Italian regions that drive organic wine more than others we mention Sicily, Tuscany and Puglia.
Protected names in Italy
This is an area in whichItaly has an ancient tradition and where production has exceeded 16 million hectoliters for a total of more than 2 billion bottles. Among the most chosen grapes there are: Delle Venezie Doc, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Prosecco and Chianti.
Wine tradition in Italy
Within the culture and society of Italy, the wine tradition is well integrated so as to represent an essential component despite the changes that have occurred over the years in the consumer society and more specifically, despite the alcoholic beverages consumed by Italians at leisure now also include cocktails and spirits.
In short: times change, habits change and yet wine remains a constant within Italian society.
But the history of the wine tradition in Itala is made of stages that it is important to know, especially if you are lovers of this alcoholic beverage.
To retrace briefly the history that has brought us here, giving us as a legacy many wines of different caliber among them, just mention the two civilizations to which we recognize the merit of having laid the foundations for our wine tradition: the Romans and the Greeks.
These civilizations recognized the great value of wine so as to dedicate the gods of Bacchus and Dionysus, one of the Wine, the other of the intoxication. Just think of the Roman bacchanals, the moment of maximum expression by citizens, dedicated to sociality, sexuality and the enjoyment of earthly pleasures.
And, after all, if we think about the evolution of the wine tradition in Italy has always maintained its constant: the context. Wine is that drink that makes us company at the table, during lunches in company, that we love to share with friends in a pub evening and also a great way to make a tribute to a special person.
Copertina: winemeridian