Italy was the world's largest producer of wine in 2007, with 8.5 million tonnes. Etruscans and Greek settlers produced wine in the country
long before the Romans
started developing their own vineyards in the second century BC. Grapes are grown in
almost every part of Italy, with 2.1 million acres of vineyards under
cultivation in 2006.
Among Italy's most celebrated appellations are Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, Chianti Classico, and Amarone. Key grape varietals include Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Barbera, Dolcetto, Corvina, Pinot Grigio, Trebbiano, Vernaccia, Moscato and Arneis.
