Forget Pinot Grigio and Embrace 4 Alternative Italian White Wines

Regional Favorites of Piedmont, Trentino, Sicily, and Sardinia

Mt. Etna, Sicily, vineyards

In an Italian wine rut? Many wine lovers are tired of drinking the same overpriced Pinot Grigio. Or they just think Italy is only celebrated for its red wines. Step out of your rut and embrace four impressive Italian white wines. These are the darling whites of Piedmont, Sicily, Trentino, and Sardinia. Each region offers unique soil and climate to nurture white grapes and present spectacular alternatives to Pinot Grigio. Editor’s Note: I am including a great Pinot Grigio with the list, as good ones are available around the world.

Piedmont, Italy countryside

The Piedmont Region and the “Little Rascal”

The Piedmont region of Italy famous for its red Barolo and Barbaresco wines. The region does has a white grape called Arneis (ARE-NAY) that means “little rascal.” Its nickname evolved due to the difficulty in growing the grape. But, is the little rascal really difficult to grow or historically were Arneis’ vineyards relegated to inferior sites? Perhaps the well-known Piedmont Barolo Nebbiolo grape just brought a higher price per bottle? Roero is a subregion of the Piedmont that offers the best of the Arneis grape. The planted Arneis is so fragrant and floral that it draws birds away from the pricier Nebbiolo vineyards in Barolo and Barbaresco regions. Now the Roero region is growing the grapes in more favorable vineyard settings and producing wines with aromas of pear and honey. There are floral notes with a hint of hazelnut creaminess, too. Pair a glass of Roero Arneis with fish or shellfish or drink as an aperitif on a sunny spring day. Consider staying at Hotel Castello di Sinio when you visit there. Have Denise Pardini serve you truffle pasta from her famous kitchen restaurant.

Trentino’s Sparkling Italian

You cannot call it Champagne, but this Italian wine is made exactly like Champagne in the “Metodo Classico” or Method Champenoise process. The Chardonnay grapes are grown at high altitude near the Alps at 100-2300 feet to preserve the freshness and liveliness of the grapes. In the case of the Ferrari Brut, the second bottle that produces the effervescence is aged for 24 months. The bottle then is gently riddled to get the yeast sediment out and Ferrari tops off the bottle with its secret recipe of wine in its “Liqueur d’expedition.” The resulting aromas of apples, wild flowers, bread crust and yeast make it a perfect aperitif or food pairing with lighter seafood dishes. A true great value sparkling wine.

Sicily’s Volcanic White Wine

Sicily is often named one of the best travel destinations for its beauty and thriving wine scene. The popularity of being the featured location in Season 2 of “The White Lotus” has added a frenzy to this popular island destination. Sicily has always been famous for its red wines especially those made with the grapes Nero d’Avola and Nerello Mascalese.

Sicily’s white wines made near the Mt. Etna region stand out for their freshness and aromas. Many vineyards exist at high altitudes near the volcanic peak. Additionally, “The Grecale” Mediterranean Sea wind continually blows northeast breezes to cool off the Grecanico, Gillo, and Chardonnay grapes producing the Planeta La Segreta Bianco wines. The fertile volcanic soil imparts minerality to the wine. Aromas of almond, honey, melon, peach and even saltiness create a quite an impression. Planeta, one of the premier wine estates of Sicily, hosts a resort, Planeta Estate, a restaurant, La Foresteria, and cooking school. This is an essential stop in touring Sicily.

See Town & Country: The White Lotus-Inspired Travel Guide to Sicily.

Agriolas Vineyard, Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia: The Island’s White Darling

Vermentino is a grape grown in many parts of the Mediterranean including Sardinia, the Tuscan coast, and Corsica. It is known as Rolle in Southern France, and is grown in many places in the new world, even Texas. The Spanish were thought to have brought Vermentino to the island of Sardinia, and much of it is planted on the slope of the northern peninsula, Gallura. Vermentino is an aromatic grape. The nose has a wonderful peach, floral, dried herbs, ginger, lemon peel combination. Some of the top Vermentino wines come from Sardinia. No wonder it’s their white darling. Visit Sardinia, home to some of the longest-living people on earth, and you will understand why it is one of the Blue Zone areas of the world. You walk everywhere!

Sardinia, Italy

Recommended Wines

2022 Ceretto Arneis Blange Piedmont, Italy $26

James Suckling, 90 Points

NV Ferrari Brut, Trentino, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy $29

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points

2023 Planeta La Segreta Bianco, Sicily, Italy $16

James Suckling, 91 Points

2023 Agriolas Is Vermentino di Sardegna, Sardinia, Italy $25

James Suckling, 94 Points

If you insist on having a great Pinot Grigio, here you are:

2022 Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, $33

James Suckling, 92 Points

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