Italian red wines may get all the attention, but insiders know that Italian whites are as varied and interesting as the country’s reds. Italy’s multitude of mountains and hills ensures wines with bright acidity—the hallmark of Italian whites. Acidity is what makes a wine food friendly, and Italian white wines do not disappoint. From appetizers through dessert, there is a perfect Italian white for your table. The best Italian white wines for appetizers Catarratto Bianco is Italy’s most planted white grape variety. Native to Sicily, Catarratto is a major part of Sicily’s Marsala blend but for many years it was not well-regarded as a single varietal. However, a number of determined producers have learned how to coax the best out of this white grape and the results are light, interesting wines that showcase harmonious citrus, herbal and mineral notes. Vermentino is an important white grape for several Italian regions. The most widely planted grape in Liguria, it also maintains importance in Tuscany and Sardinia.

Vermentino loves the sea and the best examples express saline characteristics and brisk minerality.where to buy wine charms The best Italian white wines for the first coursebest white wine for bbq Verdicchio is one of Italy’s highest quality white grapes. best food and wine italyIt is particularly important in the Marche region, which has two DOCs dedicated to its production—Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. best quality wine by countryVerdicchio crafts lively wines with bright acidity and sophisticated citrus and herbal notes. best cheap port wine

These white wines are the perfect complement to refined seafood dishes. Garganega is the grape variety behind the famous wines of Veneto’s Soave appellation. best white wine brands in indiaWines from this white grape are noted for having a rich texture, impressive acidity and an interesting combination of citrus, floral and bitter almond notes. best selling wine making booksGarganega is another Italian white variety that ages well, especially those that have been barrel fermented.best wine to get fairness The best Italian white wines for the main coursebest wine to get fairness Timorasso is an ancient Italian grape from Piedmont’s south-eastern corner.

It is experiencing a renaissance as more and more people discover the high-quality, distinctive wines this grape produces. The wines showcase bright acidity balanced by a creamy mouthfeel. Timorasso is a white grape that ages beautifully and shows its best after a few years in the bottle. Vernaccia is the jewel of Tuscany’s San Gimignano, a spectacular walled medieval town south of Florence. The Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG encompasses vineyards surrounding the hilltop village and this white grape is rarely found elsewhere. These are crisp, delicate wines, with beautiful floral aromas complementing a savory minerality. The best Italian Dessert Wines If you know anything about wine, you have probably heard about Moscato Bianco. The grape crafts lightly sweet wines that range from slightly fizzy to sparkling and are sometimes simple, but always delightful. Piedmont’s Moscato d’Asti appellation showcases the very best this popular grape has to offer. It is a delicate wine of great finesse, with ethereal perfume and balanced sweetness.

A beautiful match with fresh fruit and lighter confections, Moscato d’Asti is the perfect end to any meal. Italy has a remarkable tradition of dessert wine production. Referred to as “passitos,” these wines are made with grapes that have been dried on mats before fermentation. This “appassimento” process concentrates sugars, creating complex aromas and flavors. While definitely sweet, Italian dessert wines are perfectly balanced by bright acidity. White grape versions include Recioto di Soave and Torcolato from Veneto, Picolit and Ramandolo from Friuli, Tuscany’s Vin Santo and Passito di Pantelleria from Sicily. Interested in learning more about Italian Wines? Sign up now for the Italian Wine Scholar program via Distance-Learning and save 10% with coupon code: save10IWS (case sensitive). Or you can study in classroom! Find a wine school near you.Saucy Sautéed Shrimp over Lemon Quinoa (Image credit: Faith Durand) Do you remember your first bite of linguine with white wine clam sauce, lobster bisque with sherry, or savory chicken Marsala?

Cooking with white wine brings balance, fruit, and acidity to so many of our favorite recipes. Once you move past grocery store "cooking wine" (and I strongly advise you to do so!) and introduce even moderately priced white wine into the equation (leave that $40 Chardonnay in the wine fridge), your possibilities and cooking style expand exponentially. Here are five white wines that are each wonderful for cooking in their own way. By far, the most versatile style of wine to cook with is a dry, crisp white wine. Rich, oaky whites can become bitter during the cooking process, while sweeter whites may caramelize during deglazing or add unwanted sweetness to certain dishes. As wine cooks, it becomes an integrated part of the whole, and subtle nuances are almost always lost; therefore, a high-quality wine is only appropriately used to finish a dish, where it will be the featured component. Unless that is the case, choose a moderately priced, quaffable white wine, and spend your extra money on quality ingredients instead.

Scallops with White Wine Beurre Blanc & Lemon Orzo (Image credit: Nealey Dozier) 1. Crisp White Wine, Such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Unoaked Chardonnay - This is your go-to category. If possible, choose a wine that has a moderate alcohol content (ideally between 10 and 13 percent) and generous acidity. Highly alcoholic wines may take longer to reduce and often do not have the necessary acidity, which adds brightness, while tenderizing. My three favorite grape varietals for cooking are Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay. Pinot Grigio is the most neutral of the three, which makes it the most versatile. Sauvignon Blanc provides racy acidity, which is particularly delicious in seafood dishes or with sauces utilizing heavy cream. Chardonnay contributes the most richness of the three. I know it seems counterintuitive, but avoid purchasing wines labeled, "cooking wines," for they often contain salt and other additives. In general, choose unoaked, dry, medium-bodied white wines.

In a pinch, you can always substitute a dry vermouth. While slightly more expensive, the vermouth has a longer shelf life, which makes it a great option for those, who only imbibe occasionally. 6 Very Drinkable Crisp, Dry Whites to Cook With Duck Pond Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2013, $12 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio della Venezie IGT, Italy, 2012, $8 Black Box Sauvignon Blanc Valle Central, Chile, NV, $24 (this is a 3-liter box, which represents an average $6 per bottle) Anselmi Friulano, Collio DOC, Italy, 2012, $10 Toad Hollow, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, California, 2012, $13 Mouton Cadet, Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux, France, 2012, $10 2. Sherry - Like Faith, I have a bottle of this in my kitchen at all times. Just this evening, I finished a pot of chicken and cauliflower soup with a dash of sherry, and it brightened the soup and added another layer of depth and dimension. Sherry is versatile: it is great for deglazing, brings depth to a cream sauce, and is brilliant alongside appetizers like oysters.

My Pick for Sherry to Cook With Taylor Wine Company Dry Sherry, New York, NV, $6 3. Marsala - Although delicious in a classic chicken or veal Marsala, you should branch out and try incorporating this complex, dry wine in braised preparations. My personal favorite way to use Marsala wine is in the decadent Italian dessert, zabaglione. My Pick for Marsala to Cook With Cantine Florio Fine Marsala Dry, Sicily, Italy, NV, $13 4. Sparkling Wine - Of course, sparkling wine is perfectly suited for a Champagne vinaigrette or a sorbet, but it is a great substitute for dry, white wine in beurre blanc. The bubbles dissipate when cooked, so this is a great opportunity to use up any leftover flat bubbly after a party (not that this is ever an issue at my house!). My Pick for Sparkling Wine to Cook With Poema Cava, Brut, Penedés, Spain, NV Scallops with Lime & Cilantro 5. Madeira - Produced in four distinct styles, Madeira is a Portuguese fortified wine from the islands of Madeira.