On June 12, 2025, In Vino & Spirits hosts an evening that promises to transport guests across the rolling vineyards, ancient villages, and storied terroirs of Italy—all through the lens of six exceptional wines.
The event, titled “Taste of Italy,” is more than a tasting; it’s a guided tour through the soul of Italian winemaking. With a thoughtfully curated lineup, each wine represents not only a specific region and grape variety, but also a piece of the country’s rich vinous history—one that dates back over 4,000 years, making Italy one of the oldest and most diverse wine-producing countries in the world.
🇮🇹 A Brief History of Italian Winemaking
Italian wine culture begins with the Etruscans and Greeks, who cultivated vines long before the rise of the Roman Empire. The Romans, known for refining viticulture and spreading it across Europe, helped establish Italy’s early reputation for quality and variety.
Today, Italy is home to 20 wine regions, over 350 authorized grape varieties, and more than 500 officially classified DOC and DOCG wines. From the Alpine heights of Alto Adige to the sun-soaked hills of Sicily, each region showcases its own interpretation of terroir and tradition.
🍷 What Makes Italian Wines Unique?
Italian wines stand apart for their emphasis on native grapes, regional expression, food compatibility, and tradition. They often highlight minerality, balanced acidity, and moderate alcohol, making them versatile at the table. The wines featured in this event reflect that diversity—from aromatic whites grown in mountain climates to bold reds shaped by Tuscan sunshine and volcanic soils.
🌟 The Wines You'll Explore at “Taste of Italy”
1. Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Valente IGT Toscana Rosso 2020 (Tuscany)
This powerful yet elegant red wine is crafted from 100% Sangiovese, Italy’s most iconic red grape, and showcases the depth of Tuscany’s Maremma region.
Fattoria Le Pupille, led by visionary winemaker Elisabetta Geppetti, plays a central role in raising the profile of southern Tuscany’s wines on the global stage. The vineyard sits near the Tyrrhenian coast, benefiting from Mediterranean breezes and sun-drenched hills.
Flavor Profile: Expect flavors of black cherry, tobacco, dried herbs, and subtle oak, with structured tannins and aging potential.
Why It’s Special: Poggio Valente represents modern Tuscan elegance with deep historical roots in one of Italy’s oldest winemaking areas.
2. La Lastra Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Tuscany)
While Tuscany is known for red wines, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a standout white with noble heritage. It’s the first Italian wine to receive DOC status in 1966, and San Gimignano's medieval towers serve as a dramatic backdrop to this ancient grape’s cultivation.
La Lastra is a small, sustainable estate focused on preserving Tuscan biodiversity through native varietals like Vernaccia.
Flavor Profile: Bright, clean notes of green apple, citrus, and almond, with crisp minerality and a slightly bitter finish.
Why It’s Special: This wine offers a taste of Tuscany’s white wine history, showcasing how lesser-known grapes still dominate local palates and culinary pairings.
3. Punta Crena Rossese Vigneto Isasco 2022 (Liguria)
From the steep, terraced vineyards of Liguria’s coastal hills, this rare Rossese wine bursts with personality. Punta Crena’s Isasco vineyard overlooks the Ligurian Sea, with marine winds and poor soils that result in highly aromatic, vibrant wines.
Rossese, an indigenous varietal, thrives here and nowhere else, making it one of Italy’s most geographically expressive reds.
Flavor Profile: Delicate and light-bodied, with aromas of rose, red currant, and Mediterranean herbs, balanced by zippy acidity.
Why It’s Special: It’s a true terroir wine—you can taste the sea, sun, and stone in every sip.
4. La Spinetta Bricco Quaglia Moscato d’Asti 2023 (Piedmont)
Moscato d’Asti is often misunderstood, but La Spinetta elevates this lightly sparkling, semi-sweet wine into something truly elegant. The Bricco Quaglia vineyard is one of the first planted by the Rivetti family, pioneers of quality-driven Moscato production.
This wine hails from Piedmont, a region known for big reds like Barolo—but Moscato has long been the celebratory wine of choice for locals.
Flavor Profile: Fragrant and effervescent, with notes of peach, orange blossom, and honeysuckle, and a soft, sweet finish with low alcohol.
Why It’s Special: A refreshing reminder that Moscato is a serious wine, when done right, and perfectly suited to warm-weather sipping or dessert pairing.
5. ADLER Kerner 2021 (Alto Adige)
Kerner is a crossing of Riesling and Schiava, and in Alto Adige’s alpine vineyards, it takes on crispness, minerality, and expressive aromatics.
ADLER crafts this white from vines planted at high elevations, where cool nights preserve acidity and long growing seasons promote flavor development.
Flavor Profile: Aromas of pear, green apple, lime zest, and white flowers, with a lively, dry finish and alpine freshness.
Why It’s Special: It’s a rare chance to experience Germany-meets-Italy winemaking, combining aromatic precision with Italian flair.
6. Abbazia di Novacella Lagrein 2022 (Alto Adige)
Lagrein is one of Italy’s oldest red varietals, native to Alto Adige. The Abbazia di Novacella, a working monastery established in 1142, has been producing wine for nearly nine centuries—making this bottle a bridge between past and present.
Lagrein delivers intense flavor without overwhelming alcohol or oak, and is gaining attention for its aging potential and depth.
Flavor Profile: Bold with notes of black cherry, violet, spice, and a touch of cocoa, backed by velvety tannins.
Why It’s Special: It reflects centuries of monastic craftsmanship and is one of Italy’s best examples of an underdog red poised for discovery.
✨ Why This Tasting Matters
“Taste of Italy” is more than a chance to enjoy great wine—it’s an opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of a country that treats wine as a way of life.
From the sunlit coasts of Liguria to the cool mountaintops of Alto Adige, each wine represents a piece of Italy’s story—one that blends geography, history, and tradition into every glass.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual enthusiast, this tasting invites you to experience Italy’s beauty and complexity in six distinct pours.
