Page 310 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

308  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

What to Drink in Rome

Italy is one of Europe’s most significant wine-
producing countries, keeping up a tradition
started in the hills around Rome over 2,000 years
ago. Today, wine is usually drunk with meals as
a matter of course, and knowing the difference
between rosso (red) and bianco (white) may be all
the vocabulary you need to get by. Beer is widely
available, too, as well as good ranges of apéritifs
and digestifs. Rome’s drinking water, another debt
to the ancient Romans, is particularly good, fresh,
and sweet, and in abundant supply.

The vineyards of Frascati, southeast of Rome

White Wine
Vines thrive in the warm climate of Lazio, the region
around Rome, producing abundant supplies of
inexpensive dry white wine for the city’s cafés and
restaurants. It is usually sold by the carafe. Of local
bottled wines, Frascati is the best-known, but Calcaia comes from
Castelli Romani, Marino, Colli Albani, and Velletri Barberani, a reliable
are very similar in style. All are made from one producer of Orvieto.
grape variety, the Trebbiano, though better-
quality versions contain a dash of Malvasia for
perfume and flavor. Other central Italian whites
worth trying are Orvieto and Verdicchio. Quality
white wines from all over Italy, including fine
whites from Friuli in the northeast, are widely
available in Rome.
Orvieto Frascati
Wine Type Good Good Producers Bigi produces good-
Vintages quality Orvieto,
especially the single-
White Wine vineyard Torricella.
Friuli (Pinot Bianco, The most Gravner, Jermann, Puiatti, Schiopetto,
Chardonnay, Pinot recent Volpe Pasini
Grigio, Sauvignon)
Orvieto/ Orvieto The most Antinori, Barberani, Bigi, Il Palazzone
Classico recent
Red Wine Casal Pilozzo is an
Chianti/ Chianti 2007, 2006, Antinori, Castello di Ama, Castello di easy-drinking white
Classico/ Chianti Rufina 2001, 2000, Cacchiano, Castello di Volpaia, Felsina wine from the Frascati
99, 97, 95, Berardenga, Fontodi, Frescobaldi, Isole e producers Colli di
90, 88, 85 Olena, Il Palazzino, Riecine, Rocca delle Catone. Choose the
Macie, Ruffino, Vecchie Terre di Montefili, youngest vintage.
Villa Cafaggio

Brunello di Montalcino/ 2007, 2004, Altesino, Avignonesi, Biondi Santi,
Vino Nobile di 2001, 99, 97, Caparzo, Case Basse, Lisini, Il Poggione,
Montepulciano 95, 90, 88, 85 Poliziano, Villa Banfi
Colle Gaio, with its
Barolo/Barbaresco 2006, 2004, Aldo Conterno, Altare, Ceretto, Clerico, rich, fruity flavor, stands
2000, 99, 98, 97, Gaja, Giacomo Conterno, Giacosa, out among the dry
95, 90, 89, 88 Mascarello, Ratti, Voerzio white Frascatis.

US_308-309_EW_Rome_US.indd 308 15/03/17 3:53 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm