Italy is known for its wine, coffee, and grappa. In all of these beverages, Italians take great pride in the traditions of their culture. The country has a thriving craft beer culture that is reflected in the variety of available beers throughout the country. However, most Italians prefer drinking white or red wine.
When you visit Italy, see the Italy alcohol prices at https://puninwine.com/catalog/strong-alcohol/liquor/filter/country-italy and drink in an Italian style, you are also interacting with the country’s rich cultural history as well as its modern society. Find out what it’s like to drink in Italy by reading this article. This post will cover everything from Italian local wine types, varieties, and beer to the different terms used to describe drinks and drinking norms in this country.
What to drink in Italy?
When it comes to alcoholic beverages in Italy, you have many options. You can look for:
- red wine,
- white wine,
- spumanti (amaretto, limoncello),
- or fortified wines such as grappa, sambuco, or marsala,
- and a variety of beer.
What you choose to drink will, of course, depend on where you are in Italy, the season, and what type of food you are eating.
In summer, you might want to look for a refreshing red wine, such as:
- a blush red,
- a robust red,
- or a full-bodied red.
For winter, you can choose a spumante or a marsala-style wine.
If you are eating pizza, you can also look for a local beer. You can also look for:
- a local Shiraz,
- Merlot,
- or Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you are looking for an alternative to wine, you can also try:
- amaretto,
- limoncello,
- grappa,
- or sambuca.
Wine: A guide to Italian wine types and varieties
Italian wines come in many different varieties, from well-known red wines such as the Sangiovese grape used to make Merlot, the Tuscan Pinot Noir grape used to make Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco, and the white friulano grape used to make friulano and prosecco, to more obscure varieties used to make wines such as the Malvasia and Verdicchio grapes.
However, the most common Italian wines are the red wines such as Rosso, or the more recent white varieties such as the friulano or prosecco. You may also come across a sparkling wine that is called spumante.
Beer in Italy: A guide to Italian beers
Italy produces many different types of beer, including lager, ale, and stout beers, as well as what some people refer to as “tablebeer”, a type of beer that is served chilled and is not brewed for high alcoholic content. Traditionally, beer in Italy is served cold, often in a glass bottle with a long neck.
Drinking terms in Italy
There are many different terms used in Italy when it comes to drinking, and knowing them can help you make friends and communicate more effectively with the people around you.
When it comes to ordering wine, the waiter will ask you if you would like a “basso” (low) or “alto” (high). When it comes to beer, you can order a beer “dolce” (sweet), a beer “pesante” (heavy), or a “light” beer. When it comes to spirits, you can order a spirit “bastardo” (bastard/rough), a “fino” (as in unfortified), or a “secco” (dry).
What are the drinking norms in Italy?
As a general rule, Italians like to drink with friends and family, so as a visitor, it is generally considered polite to join others at their table. If you are invited to someone’s home, and they offer you some wine, it is common courtesy to accept. If you are invited to someone’s home for drinks, and you are drinking wine, it is polite to finish the glass since it is usually served from a bottle.
Wrapping it all up
It’s no secret that Italians love to eat. But what about drinking? Italians don’t just love food, they also love their wine. From casual after-dinner drinks to two glasses of liqueur as part of a dessert, Italian glasses of wine provide an opportunity to sit and relax with friends or family. Italian wine has a long tradition and makes for excellent wine drinking. You can also look for a local beer or try a local spirit. Once you learn about Italian drinking customs, you will be ready for a great time in this exciting country.
