Lazio

Lazio, an Italian wine region located in the central part of the country, is the home of the ancient capital Rome. The region has a long history of winemaking, dating back to when the Etruscans originally settled the territory. The most popular white grape varietals in Lazio are Trebbiano and Malvasia. The two are often blended to create a light, crisp white wine that pairs perfectly with the region’s cuisine.

There are more than 30 official DOCs in Lazio, with the most famous of them being Castelli Romani, Frascati and Est! Est! Est!!!. The one official DOCG is Cesanese del Piglio. Overall, there are more than 200 different grape varietals that can be found in Lazio. The volcanic hills in the area help the complexity of the wine, reinforcing the natural acidity.

In the 1870s, Lazio rose to national prominence when Rome officially became the capital of modern Italy. While Lazio has always been known for its winemaking traditions dating all the way back to the ancient Romans, it has also tended to produce light, rounded white wines that were best suited for immediate consumption. In the past two decades, though, Lazio has sought to create light, crisp wines that are of the highest quality.

For example, Frascati is a white wine blend made from Malvasia and Trebbiano that results in flavors of peach, lemon and herbs. And the wines of Est! Est! Est!!! di Montefiascone are also notable for their fruity notes and crisp acidity. Orvieto, a region of next-door Umbria, overlaps into Lazio and produces a Grechetto white wine that is often blended with Trebbiano. Lazio has even seen the arrival of “Super Lazio” (similar to the “Super Tuscans”) – wines made from the French grape varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc.

Overall, Lazio is the 7th largest wine region in Italy by overall wine production.

Image Source: wikimedia.org