“Italian wine is the best” is clearly a general opinion but held by millions of people around the world. Calling Italian wine the best is like saying the baseball team you favor is the best, even though that team loses some games. Even when your favorite team loses, you still believe that that team is the best. The reason for your unwavering support comes down to tribalism. That team is your tribe. You identify with that team. It’s close to the town you grew up in. Your roots come from the same place

There are many reasons for belonging to a tribe and if you’re reading this article, you either already believe that Italian wine is the best or you want to believe Italian wine is the best. You’re either in the tribe or you want to be in the Italian wine tribe. And once you get into this Italian wine tribe, you will never leave it. This is my story and the story of millions of Italian wine lovers.

From California Wine To Italian Wine

I’ve never met a person that tells me that they used to only drink Italian wines until they got turned on by California wines. But I have met people that began their wine drinking with California wines and moved over to Italian wines. This is a phenomenon of moving from New World to Old World in wine-speak. This Italian wine convert believes Italian wine is the best now.

Italian-Americans Missing Italy

There are millions of Italian-Americans and people of Italian origin who live in countries throughout the world. Many of them only drink Italian wine. Why? People of Italian heritage who live abroad all share a melancholic feeling of missing the homeland of their ancestors. Drinking Italian wine keeps them close to the culture of their family, giving themselves a sense of identity, and simply feeling at home over a couple glasses of rosso.

Italian Wine Trips

There are also millions of people who have traveled to Italy for a honeymoon or vacation. Maybe you only visited Italy once in your life and you were overwhelmed by its beautiful landscapes, marble structures, and mouthwatering cuisine. During your travels you were drinking Italian wine because there was simply no other option. People like this, now prefer Italian wines and every bottle reminds them and romanticizes their memories of a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

There are millions of people who travel to Italy for wine trips. They go to Italy specifically for wine! While Tuscany and Piemonte are the most famous regions for wine trips, all 20 regions of Italy offer the same.

My Personal Story

My personal story with how I entered the Italian wine tribe is because I’m Italian-American. My father is from a small mountain village in the Molise region. He and my grandfather brought their wine culture to America. I grew up in a house where wine was at the table and sort of the center of attention. Our family owned a small vineyard, where my grandfather made his own homemade wine. That’s how I got into the Italian wine tribe and I believe Italian wine is the best.

 But as I’ve gotten deeper into the Italian wine world, I have found many other reasons why Italian wine is the best. Some of these reasons are measurable and are worth considering if you know little about Italian wine. A portion of these reasons can be found in my book called Hidden Gems of Italy: An Insider’s Secret Formula To Find Top-Class Italian Wine At Value Prices And Taste La Dolce Vita.

The Diversity Of Italian Wine

Italy is called the “Land of Wine,” not because the Italians are all master winemakers. The name comes from the fact that there are more native Italian grapes in Italy than France, Greece, and Spain put together. Italy’s native grapes comprise roughly 25% of the world’s wine grapes.

Italy is simply located in the perfect place on Earth for the flourishing of wine grapes. Each native Italian grape has its own unique character, taste, and texture. With some estimates of 2,000 native grape varietals in Italy, there is certainly an Italian wine for any persons taste.

The biodiversity of Italian wine is why it’s best, one could argue.

Famous Italian Wines

Chianti is one of the most traveled winemaking towns in the world. Found in the region of Tuscany. One could argue this is why Italian wine is the best.

Barolo and Barbaresco are made with the age-worthy nebbiolo grape, and are considered some of the best wines in the world. They happen to be Italian wines. One could argue this is why Italian wine is the best.

Italian Food Is The Best

Italian food is by far the most favored cuisine in the world. People love Italian food. It’s no accident that Italian food became the most favored. The biodiversity of Italy’s soils, the wide variability of microclimates from the snowy Alps in North Italy to volcanic sands of Sicily in the South, along with the creativity of the Italian people, all contribute greatly to the world’s favorite food. The reasons for the best food in the world are the same reasons for the best wine in the world.

In fact, the Italians are known for the commandment of “thy shall drink wine with food.” Italian wines have always been designed to be paired with food. That’s where Italian wines show off their greatness. While many Italian wines can be drunk without food, and I give you a list of them in Hidden Gems, Italian wines can turn a good meal into a great meal. Italian wines open the taste buds and accentuate the senses. This is why Italian wine is the best.

How can you find the best Italian wine that costs $20 but tastes like $50? 

There is an art to shopping for Italian wines. They are all not created equal. Hidden Gems of Italy will give shopping tips, shortcuts, and hacks so you can find top class Italian wines at affordable prices. You should get your copy of Hidden Gems now and drink like royalty this weekend.