If a wine sommelier is not close by to help guide you, most wine lists do not give you very much information except for the price, producer and vintage so it may be useful to know that:
The producer’s name can either be a single producer like Degli Azzoni Avogadro , a cooperative such as Produttori del Barbaresco (56 member group) or a larger wine brand such as Ruffino. Knowing what type of producer can be helpful in understanding if the wine is rare or easy-to-find.
Italian wines are often named after a region and each region is classified. For instance, a wine labeled Chianti Classico DOCG is from a sub-region of Chianti in Toscana that requires a minimum composition of 80% Sangiovese grapes. Alternatively, a “Named Wine” like Degli Azzoni Avogadro “ Helianthus” on an Italian wine list (classified as IGT) is an atypical blend of unclassified grapes.Super Tuscan belongs to this category.
A Super Tuscan Wine is a wine that “Supersedes” Italian wine law.The term Super Tuscan was suggested in the 1970’s by Italian wine producers and wine writers to exemplify a wine from Tuscany produced with grapes that did not collect appellation law ( DOC and DOCG).
Before this date , wine from Tuscany, made from grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, were placed under the low quality Vino da Tavola classification. Producers like Antinori and his wine called Tignanello and Tenuta san Guido’s Sassicaia bucked the method by creating high-priced quality wines with the unclassified grapes. Super Tuscan wines now fall under a wine appellation called IGT.
Important to know is the Vintage variation which greatly affects the produce of Italy. As a general rule, older vintages tend to have less prominent tannin.
Each Italian wine regions specialize in different types of wine and different grape varieties. the basics culture of the leading Italian wine regions will help you read an Italian Wine list.