We Americans are raised almost from birth with an intimate knowledge of our country’s various fast food selections. Even small details like the difference between a Wendy’s, McDonalds, and White Castle burger—square, $1, guaranteed stomachache, respectively—are ingrained in our cultural food knowledge.That’s how Italians are with wine. A native Italian does not drink cocktails or beer or soda for dinner, he drinks wine—or so boasted my hosts on a recent trip to three-Michelin-star restaurant La Pergola, located at the top of the Rome Cavalieri Hotel. La Pergola’s chief sommelier Marco Reitano—who this year received the title of best sommelier from Italy’s gourmet guide Identità Golose—is an expert among experts. The La Pergola cellar is home to 3,000 labels—all of which has been tasted and then purchased either by his staff or Reitano himself. “Our selection has representation from each Italian region, representation from every type of Italian grape, and it’s also representative of world wines,” Reitano explains. 

We asked Reitano for the 10 best Italian wines, and we gave him a catch: They all had to be available for purchase in the United States either in a wine shop or by mail order. Here are his picks.Cà del Bosco Franciacorta Annamaria ClementiThis wine from Northern Italy is full-bodied with notes of citrus and a refreshing finish—perfect for an Italian-style special occasion dinner. “It’s often compared to the French Dom Perignon,” Reitano says.Pair with: Parma ham or spaghetti carbonaraBuy online: $65.19; Villa Raiano Fiano di AvellinoItaly’s Campania region isn’t only famous for its gulfs and the gastronomic town of Naples. It’s also known for the strong-flavored white Fiano grape, which is grown almost exclusively in Southern Italy. “This 100% Fiano from the southern Campania region is dry, refreshing, and mineral, with apple and walnut flavors,” describes Reitano.Pair with: Mushroom risottoBuy online: $203.88 per case; Venica Ronco delle CimeClosely related to a sauvignon blanc, the Friulano grape is one of the oldest vines in Italy’s northern Fruili region.

(It also goes by the name Sauvignonasse and Sauvignon Vert.) Dry and fruity with an herbal finish.top 5 wine brands in francePair with: Sea bass carpaccio or sautéed clamsBuy online: $30.50; best dc wine listsPieropan Soave Classico La RoccaIf you’re browsing your local shop for a bottle on this list, look for this common label. best white wine olive garden“With exotic flavors and a rich body, this is among the most long-aging Italian white wines,” Reitano says. buy fair trade wineIt’s pressed from 100% garganega grapes, local from the Veneto region.best white wine making kit

Pair with: Grilled lobster or scallops saladBuy online: $42.22; Giacomo Conterno Barolo MonfortinoIt’s only appropriate that this wine from old vines is “probably the most long aging Italian red wine,” according to Reitano. best type of dry red wineMonfortino is a classic Barolo-style wine—designed to be aged in casks for many years and made with native Italian nebbiolo grapes. best way to ship wine from italyWhat’s the payoff of patience (and the hefty price tag)? good cheap wine for cheeseA deep, mineral flavor with wildberry and spices.buy wine in wooden boxesPair with: White truffle ravioli or grilled lambBuy online: $399; Gaja Barbaresco“From the world-famous Gaja winery comes a classical bodied nebbiolo—rich and mineral, with a balsamic finish,” Reitano says.

Translation: It’s a wine that’ll put hair on your chest.Pair with: Roasted duckBuy online: $95.49 per case; Zenato Amarone della ValpolicellaFor the classic wine and cheese pairing, offer up this traditional red. The cherry fruit and a spicy tobacco finish complement any strong Italian cheese like Parmesan or pecorino.Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio all’OroAs every beginning student of wine knows, every vintage has its own characteristics. So what’s a vintner to do when certain year’s weather doesn’t cooperate? They don’t sell it. That’s why you’ll only see this available in specific vintages—and why you can trust that any bottle will be of the highest quality. The taste: “Power and balance with a lot of fruit and soft tannins.”Pair with: T-bone steakBuy online: $109.99; Donnafugata Passito di Pantelleria Ben RyèIf you like sweet wines, try this sugar-rich red from the small island of Pantelleria in Sicily. “The wine has a dense body with lots of dry fruit flavors,” Reitano describes.

Pair with: CannoliBuy online: $44.99; Incisa della Rocchetta SassicaiaReitano calls this Bordeaux-style blend from the coast of Tuscany “the king of Italian wines.” It’s known as a Super Tuscan wine—a Chianti-style wine that didn’t technically meet Italy’s strict regulations to be officially labelled as Chianti.Pair with: Baked pigeon, chicken, or game henBuy it: Available at specialty wine shops for around $80/bottleItalian value wines are having a moment—and just in time for your spring sipping. Wine Enthusiast gives you the 20 best bottlings from various Italian appellations in vastly diverse styles. And they have one thing in common: They are all Best Buys. 91 Capanne Ricci 2010 Rosso di Montalcino. This Rosso boasts impressively intense and pure Sangiovese aromas. The wine is compact, with red berry, rum cake, dried rosemary, ginger and spice. It’s a small step away from the quality of Brunello at a fraction of the price. Imported by Montcalm Wine Importers.

abv: 14.5%        Price: $15 90 Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro 2011 Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige). This gorgeous Pinot Grigio displays the fresh aromatic fragrances associated with cool-climate, mountain winemaking. Layers of jasmine, tangerine, cut grass and white almond appear on the bouquet, giving this wine a delicate and feminine personality. A spicy touch of acidity drives the clean, bright finish. Imported by Omniwines Distribution. abv: 14%        Price: $15 88 Vinosia 2011 Aglianico (Irpinia). Here’s a bold, ripe and chewy expression of Aglianico with loads of plump cherry and blackberry followed by dark spice and moist pipe tobacco. The wine offers great value and would pair with lamb chops or roast pork. Imported by Domaine Select Wine Estates. abv: 13%        Price: $13 88 Cavit 2009 Alta Luna Phases (Vigneti delle Dolomiti). A blend of Teroldego, Lagrein and Merlot, this well-priced Italian red opens with inky, dark concentration and loads of ripe fruit, blackberry and cinnamon.

Nicely balanced, it’s not too bold or overextracted. Imported by Palm Bay International. Abv: 12.5%        Price: $13 87 Matané 2011 Primitivo (Puglia). Here’s a great value wine from southern Italy that shows ripe cherry notes, prune, cinnamon and leather. The mouthfeel is soft and slightly sweet, making this an excellent pairing partner to tomato-based pasta sauces. Imported by Empson (USA). abv: 13.5%        Price: $12 87 Carpineto 2011 Dogajolo Rosato (Toscana). A whole new generation of Italian rosé is finally gaining the attention it deserves. This is an exceptionally fresh and clean wine that would pair with smoked salmon, fish carpaccio or insalata di mare. Imported by Opici Wines. abv: 12.5%        Price: $12 87 Talamonti 2011 Rosato (Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo). A delicious rosato made from the hearty Montepulciano grape, this wine opens with pretty aromas of garden flower, wild berry, dried mint and white almond. Crisp and fresh, it would pair with fried calamari rings.

abv: 13%        Price: $11 87 Tenuta San Giorgio 2010 Ciampoleto (Rosso di Montalcino). Here’s a lovely Rosso and a rare value wine from one of Tuscany’s most prestigious wine-growing areas. Ciampoleto offers bright berry nuances, light shadings of exotic spice and a fresh, zesty finish. Imported by Majestic Imports. 87 Banfi 2011 Centine Bianco (Toscana). This Tuscan blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio opens with crisp, almost tart, tones of citrus, exotic fruit and honeydew. The wine shows substance in the mouth and enough heft to pair with tuna or chicken salad. Imported by Banfi Vintners. 87 Mezzacorona 2011 Chardonnay (Vigneti delle Dolomiti). The nose offers easy tones of creamy apricot and almond paste, with bright accents of tangerine and lemon. The mouthfeel is soft and plush. Imported by Prestige Wine Imports Corp. Best Buy. abv: 13%        Price: $9 87 Caldora Vini 2011 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Perfectly suited for home-cooked comfort meals like lasagna or meatloaf, this wine is rich, dense and soft, with endnotes of blackberry, cherry and tobacco.

Imported by Vin Divino. 87 La Gironda di Galandrino 2011 Moscato d’Asti. This bright Moscato d’Asti delivers pure expressions of both the fragrant Moscato grape and the special territory in northern Italy that shaped this delicate dessert wine. Floral aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine are presented in a compact, elegant manner thanks to the temperate growing conditions in Piedmont. The finish is creamy, frothy and rich. Imported by Wine Appellations Ltd. Best Buy. abv: 5%        Price: $8 87 Illuminati Dino 2011 Costalupo (Controguerra). A blend of Trebbiano, Passerina and Chardonnay, this white wine offers aromas of cut grass, citrus, lemon zest, creamy vanilla and peach. The fresh acidity makes it a perfect match for crab legs and butter sauce. 87 Lucania 2010 Gricos (Aglianico del Vulture). Aged in large oak casks, this terrific value wine shows bold spice and dried berry aromas with lingering accents of leather and pipe tobacco. The tight tannins give the wine structure and staying power.

Imported by Oliver McCrum Wines. abv: 13.5%        Price: $11 87 Begali 2010 La Cengia (Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso). A real crowd pleaser, this is a full, round and soft wine, with thick layers of dried berry, spice, leather and dark tobacco flavors. It would pair with any meat-based pasta dish. Imported by Siema LLC. 87 Mionetto NV Il Prosecco (Prosecco). Fresh and bright, this sparkling wine offers lasting aromas of stone fruit, lime and white flower. The mouthfeel is creamy and soft thanks to the foamy quality of bubbles. Imported by Mionetto USA. abv: 10.5%        Price: $12 87 Vitiano 2012 Rosato (Umbria). Here’s a beautifully colored Rosato made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Sangiovese and Aleatico. The bouquet is bright and deeply floral with rose and honeysuckle backed by forest fruit and wild strawberry. The wine shows depth in the mouth with a touch of soft sweetness on the finish. abv: 12.5%        Price: $10 86 Canella NV Extra Dry (Prosecco).