Italy leads the top ten countries in the world in wine production. The republic is confidently ahead of such large wine-producing states as France, Spain and the USA.
But the list of alcoholic drinks in Italy is not limited to wine. It accounts for 48.2% of the alcohol produced in the country. Another 29.8% – for beer , 20.7% – for strong alcoholic drinks.
Italian beer
The foamy drink is becoming more and more popular among Italian consumers every year. There are a variety of beer styles available on the local market:
- ale;
- side;
- Viennese;
- wheat or light;
- lager;
- pale ale;
- premium lager;
- Radler.
Most often, not very strong beer is brewed in the country (3.5%). Depending on the brand and variety, this figure varies from 2% to 8%. Among the most popular brands in the country and abroad are Peroni, Menabrea, Forst, Moretti, Baladin, Menaresta.
In Italy, beer is often sold in 0.75 liter bottles. Although the “European standard” (0.33 l) cannot be called rare. The cost of any beer brand depends on the region and ranges from 1.15 to 4.95 €.
Italian wine
When asked what they drink in Italy, any tourist who has not even been to the Apennine Peninsula will answer – wine. It belongs to the traditional and most popular alcoholic drinks in the republic.
Wine varieties are determined geographically. Each of them corresponds to one of 20 wine regions. The classification of wine in Italy also depends on the quality of the alcohol, the type of grape used and the area where it was grown. Currently, the country legally distinguishes into four categories:
- DOCG – an abbreviation for vintage wine undergoing tasting; grapes from specific regions are used in production; only a few regions of Italy produce wine in this category; the most famous brands: Barolo, Vernaccia, Chianti, Barbera d’Asti, Amarone, Gattinara, Asti, Franciacorta.
- DOC – vintage wine; its quality is strictly controlled; grapes – from a specific region; famous brands: Lambrusco, Dolcetto, Bardolino, Marsala, Montepulciano, Barbera d’Alba, Montefalco.
- IGT or IGP – quality wine; grapes used in production are 75–85% from a specific region; popular brands: Toscano, Falanghina, Veneto, Barbagia, Calabria, Valdamato, Lipuda.
- Vino da Tavola is an ordinary table wine that does not undergo strict control; grapes – from different regions of the country; The label only indicates the color of the drink.
In Italy there are 458 wines classified as DOCG and DOC. Alcohol strength – from 9 to 18%. The price depends not only on the brand, but also on the category:
- sparkling – 3-25 €;
- IGT – 3-5 € and above;
- DOC – 20-30 €;
- DOCG – 50-100 € and more.
In supermarkets and markets you can buy a 0.75 liter bottle of good wine for 4-8 €. Italians and tourists vacationing in the country usually prefer several brands (the prices shown are the most common):
- Franciacorta – 30-50 €;
- Barolo – 15-120 €;
- Chianti – 10-100 €;
- Barbera – 5.50-42 €;
- Montepulciano – from 20 €;
- Falanghine – 6-22 €;
- Amarone 28-120 €.
Italian liqueur
It is difficult to imagine a list of Italian alcoholic drinks without liqueurs. Not counting varieties, there are over 70 main names. The large number of varieties and brands is explained by the variety of herbs on which the alcohol is infused. The most famous include the following.
Amaretto
Pleasantly strong (21-30%) dark red liqueur with aromatic notes of almonds. Cherries, peach or apricot pits are used in production.
Limoncello
One of the most popular Italian liqueurs served in restaurants as a digestif. Tourists often wonder how Italians drink Limoncello. From the name of the alcoholic drink, you can guess that it is infused with lemon peel. To fully experience the taste, Limoncello must be drunk chilled. Tall glasses should be kept in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator for several hours. Liqueur strength is 25-30%.
Campari
This strong (20.5-28%) liqueur has a bright ruby color and bitter taste. Between 40 and 68 ingredients are used to make the alcohol, including blackberries, aromatic herbs, citrus zest and grapevines. Campari is served in restaurants as an aperitif and is also often included in cocktails.
Sambuca
Belongs to the group of the strongest Italian liqueurs (38-42%). The alcoholic drink is made from wheat alcohol, common or star anise, and extracts from flowers or elderberries. Sambuca is a clear liqueur, but there are also red varieties.
Amaro
Amaro has a distinct bittersweet taste. Strength – 16-40%. The alcohol is infused with bark, citrus peel, cinnamon, wormwood, saffron, thyme, mint and other herbs and flowers. Served as a digestif.
Genepi
It has a sweet taste and spicy aroma, strength – 40-50%. Varieties of wormwood are used in production. Genepi is usually pale yellow or green in color.
There are also several other excellent Italian liqueurs: Tuaca, Strega, Mirto, Aperol, Nocino, Centerbe, Galliano, Disaronno. The cost of cheaper varieties is 6.90-9.50 €. The price of more expensive ones is 10.20-39.50 € and above. The liqueur is usually sold in 0.5 L, 0.7 L, 1.0 L and 0.75 L bottles.
Large selection of Italian spirits
The alcoholic beverages market in Italy continues to be replenished with new samples. In 2010, the country got its own whiskey, represented by a single brand – Puni . Alcohol strength – 43-46%, cost – 54-74 €.
Italy also has its own cognac. Since 1948, all its varieties began to be called by the general term – brandy. The most famous brands: Vecchia Romagna and Fogolar. Strength – from 38%. Cost – 27.60-50.50 €. Italian brandy is amber in color and is distilled from grape must. The grape variety used is Trebbiano.
Italy also produces its own grain (primarily wheat) vodka, represented by four brands: V. Gallery, VKA, Roberto Cavalli and Keglevich. Alcohol strength is 40%. Cost – from 18-53 € and more. “Keglevich” is produced with the addition of lemon, pumpkin, peach, strawberry and other juice.
Much better than vodka or whiskey, another alcoholic drink produced in Italy is known – Martini . This fortified grape wine, which is infused with fruits , herbs and spices, belongs to the class of vermouths. In Italy there are 10 varieties of the drink. The most famous of them are: pink, dry, red and white Martini. Cost – 8.35-37.80 €. Strength – 14.4-18.0%.
One of the most famous Italian strong alcoholic drinks is grappa, which is sometimes called local moonshine . It is obtained in a simple way – by distilling the remains of grapes. Depending on the duration of aging, in the republic it is customary to distinguish three main varieties of grappa:
- up to 12 months;
- 12–18 months;
- more than 1.5 years.
They also produce aromatic and flavored grappa. The strength of the alcoholic drink is 35-60%. Cost – 9.90-64.30 €. The most famous brands: Tosolini, Cocchi, Sibona, Poli, Berta, Vittario, Nardini, Bocchino, Nonino, Bortolo.
Italian cocktails
The list of popular Italian alcoholic drinks includes numerous cocktails. Among them:
- “Americano” – based on bitter Campari, rose vermouth and soda water;
- “Aperol Spritz” – a mixture of sparkling wine (Prosecco) and Aperol liqueur;
- “Martini cocktail” – an aperitif based on gin and dry vermouth;
- “The Godfather” – Scotch whiskey and Amaretto are used;
- “Negroni” – based on dry gin and bitter Campari;
- “Bellini” – uses peach juice or puree, as well as chilled sparkling wine – Spumante Brut;
- “Witch Hunt” – a mixture of whiskey, lemonade, Strega liqueur and dry vermouth;
- “Don Giovanni” – uses chocolate liqueur, whipped cream and Amaretto.
Alcoholic cocktails are usually served with ice and slices of citrus fruit – lemon or orange. The cost of one glass in bars and restaurants in Italy is 7-10 €.