Wine from Lazio

Founded by ancient Romans the wine region of Lazio, the Aminea grape was originally grown to produce the favorite wine of the time, Falerno. Falerno, named after the town, produced both white and red with the infamous navy captain, Pliny the Elder, describing the vintage as the best wine he had ever tasted being strong, yet sweet.

Lazio borders Marche, Umbria and Tuscany, and is 6,655 square miles. Tuscany borders Lazio to the north, with Molise and Abruzzo to the east. Campania border the region to the south, with the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west side. The terrain is flat, but also hilly with mountains being dominant in the south and east districts.

Based on the reputation of being Malvasia and Trebbiano, The wines in Lazio were usually well-rounded, and made to drink immediately. Today wines produced in Lazio are light, dry and crisp due to the vinification methods that are used today.

There are 26 DOC’s in Lazio, including Castelli Romani, Frascati, Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone, Orvieti, and Marino. Just south of Rome in Piglio, are two other Cesaneses: di Olevano Romano and di Affile. The Velletri is the region’s leading red, which is a powerful wine made from Sangiovese, Cesanese, Montepulciano, Merlot and Ciliegiolo.