Moments in Wine: Italy
From ancient Rome to Super Tuscans, check out Italy's most important moments in wine.
Ancient Greek colonists discover the land of wines
Greek colonists in southern Italy, between Paestum and Calabria, supposedly found a land so filled with vines and so suitable for further viticulture that they called it Oenotria – ‘ land of wines’ – after the Greek word for ‘wine’ – ‘oînos’.
92AD: Vineyard planting banned by emperor Domitian
In 92AD, the Roman emperor Domitian, concerned that viticulture was on the verge of causing a food crisis in the empire, banned the planting of any further vineyards. He also ordered the grubbing up of half of all vineyards across the provinces. Although there is no evidence this was properly carried out, Domitian’s Edict would not be overturned until emperor Probus in 280AD.
1716: Chianti region defined
In 1716, Cosimo de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, issued an edict acknowledging Castellina, Gaiole, Radda and Greve as the producers of ‘Chianti’ wines. The towns of Castellina, Gaiole and Radda had formed a military league known as the Lega del Chianti in 1250 and the earliest reference to the white wines of the area of Chianti is from 1398.
1953: First Amarone goes on the market
Valpolicella has a winemaking history dating back to the Roman era. However, it was only in 1953 that the first Amarone was put on the market. Furthermore, it was not given DOC status until 1990 and only became a DOCG in 2009. Despite its modern heritage, the use of dried grapes in its production is a very ancient practice.
1971: Super Tuscans emerge
5. In 1971, the First Super Tuscan, Tignanello, was created by Antinori. The 1971 Tignanello was 100% Sangiovese, aged in smaller French oak barriques, and since 1975 this wine has included about 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.