What better way to celebrate amore than drinking Italian wine! This month’s picks come tous from the Kermit Lynch wine merchant. For decades they have been a leader in the industry for importing outstanding quality French & Italian wines. When you see the label Kermit Lynch… you’ll know your in good hands.

Italy is the world’s largest producer of wine, has hundreds of wine varieties and a semi complicated classification system. To ease our way in we will focus on one region at a time! These 3 wines are all from Piedmont, one of Italy’s most acclaimed wine growing regions. It’s known for high quality and produces more DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita — Italy’s top wine classification) designated wines than any other region.

In Piedmont, there are a total of 59 regions (including Barolo, Dolcetto d’Alba, Barberad’ Asti, etc.) and the name of the region is listed prominently on Piedmont wine labels (often noted alongside the variety).

The main red grapes to know are Barbera, Nebbiolo & Dolcetto. Whites include Arnies, Moscato Bianca, & Cortese. We will focus on just the types in your bag today and will get to the others another time!

Barbera is the most planted variety in Piedmont and it’s what you’ll often find the localsdrinking. Great wines of Barbera deliver aromas of red and black fruit (particularlyraspberries, lingonberries, and blackberries).Dolcetto Loved for its lower acidity and soft, fruity flavors of plums, blackberries, andraspberries.

Dolcetto wine often has lifted floral aromas of violets and black peppercorn that are contrasted with a firm tannin texture. Exceptional producers are found in both DOCG and DOC areas (especially Alba).

TIP: Italian wines beg to be served with food- especially the bold reds! SALUTE!