INTRODUCTION
Italy sits at the heart of wine as we know it today. While its origins may stretch further east, it was here, through the influence of the Etruscans, Greeks, and Romans, that wine found its rhythm and began to take shape across Europe.
Over time, generations worked the land, learning where vines thrived and how place shaped what ended up in the glass. That connection to region is still at the core of Italian wine, something you can feel in every bottle.
Today, while Pinot Grigio and Glera (Prosecco) lead the way, there’s a far more exciting world of Italian whites to explore. From the mineral edge of Etna Bianco to the gentle texture of Soave, the brightness of Vermentino, and the depth of Fiano and Greco.
These are wines full of energy, versatility, and pure drinking pleasure.
Easy at the table, endlessly food-friendly, and quietly complex, Italian whites are some of the most rewarding wines to have on hand.
ITALIAN WHITES MASTERCLASS
The New Wave of Italian White Wine!
THE WINES
2024 Cantina Dolia Nova ‘Prendas’ Vermentino
From the sun-drenched island of Sardinia, Cantine di Dolianova has been quietly doing its thing since 1949, a historic cooperative rooted in place, community, and a deep understanding of the land. The Prendas range sits slightly apart, made with a little more intention and care, destined for restaurant tables and smaller shelves rather than supermarket aisles.
Sourced from clay-limestone soils and shaped by a warm, dry climate, this is Vermentino in a very honest, very drinkable form. A short time on lees adds just enough texture to keep things interesting, without taking away from its natural brightness.
In the glass, it’s all about freshness and ease, soft florals, a little honeysuckle, crisp apple and citrus, with a gentle mandarin lift. There’s a lovely saline edge running through it, giving that subtle nod to the sea, before finishing with that classic, slightly bitter almond note that keeps you coming back for another sip.
And honestly, it’s just delicious. Bright, refreshing, and made for sunny days, seafood, and not overthinking it. The kind of wine that disappears from the glass a little quicker than expected.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Grilled prawns with lemon and parsley
~ Spaghetti vongole (clams, garlic, chilli, olive oil)
~ Zucchini with mint and ricotta bruschetta
~ Crudo of kingfish, fennel pollen, citrus oil
~ Charred octopus, olive oil potatoes, oregano
2024 Pieropan Soave Classico
If you’re looking for a place to understand Soave properly, Pieropan is where most people start, and often where they stay. A fourth-generation family estate, steadily shaping the reputation of the region for decades, and still very much setting the tone for what great Soave can be.
Set in the hills just east of Verona, the best vineyards here sit on limestone, clay, and pockets of volcanic rock, giving the wines their signature lift and quiet minerality. While the broader region can vary, Pieropan consistently sits at the top, thanks to careful farming, lower yields, and a very clear focus on quality over volume.
A blend of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave, this is a beautifully composed expression of the style. Fermented gently and aged briefly on lees, it carries a lovely balance of freshness and texture.
In the glass, it’s all subtle detail, white flowers, pear, a little citrus peel, and that soft almond note that Soave does so well. There’s a gentle roundness through the palate, but it’s held together by a fine line of acidity and a mineral edge that keeps everything feeling light on its feet.
And again, just incredibly easy to enjoy. Elegant, quietly complex, and the kind of wine that works just as well with food as it does on its own. A perfect reminder of how good Soave can be when it’s in the right hands.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Risotto with zucchini and parmesan
~ Chicken with lemon and capers
~ Grilled white fish with butter & herbs
~ Scallops with cauliflower purée and brown butter
~ Crab and mascarpone ravioli
2024 Alessandro Viola ‘Note di Bianco’
From the western edge of Sicily, Alessandro Viola is doing things in a way that feels both deeply rooted and quietly progressive. Working across two distinct vineyard sites, one high on Mount Bonifato, the other lower in Santa Ninfa, he draws on altitude, soil, and climate to shape wines with real character and energy.
A fourth-generation vigneron, Alessandro returned home after studying oenology to focus on what Sicily does best, its native varieties. Note di Bianco is built around Grillo, a grape that rarely leaves the island, and in his hands, it feels expressive, textural, and completely at ease in its surroundings.
Winemaking here is gentle and considered, organic farming, wild fermentation, time on lees, and minimal interference throughout. The result is a wine that feels honest and alive, with nothing getting in the way of what’s naturally there.
In the glass, it’s bright and layered, citrus, a little stone fruit, a hint of savoury edge, all carried by a clean, lively line of acidity. There’s texture here too, giving it a bit of weight and presence, without ever losing that freshness.
And again, just a beautiful thing to drink. Energetic, a little wild around the edges, and full of personality. A wine that feels very much of its place, and all the better for it.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Eggplant parmigiana
~ Mushroom and pecorino pasta
~ Porcini risotto with aged cheese
~ Grilled swordfish and caponata
~ Slow-roasted cauliflower, tahini, toasted nuts
2024 Giangirolami Grechetto ‘Propizio’ IGP
Just south of Rome, in the rolling hills of Lazio, the Giangirolami family has been quietly working the land for generations. Based near Ninfa, with vineyards stretching across the Pontine plains and into the Castelli Romani, this is a place shaped by volcanic soils, sea breezes, and a long-standing connection to the region.
Early adopters of organic farming (well before it became the norm), the approach here is thoughtful and steady, letting the vineyards speak, rather than pushing them too hard.
Made from 100% Grechetto, something of a rarity in a region more often known for easy-drinking blends, this wine brings more depth and intention. A gentle press followed by time on lees, with regular stirring, builds texture and brings a quiet richness to the palate.
In the glass, it’s layered and expressive, ripe citrus, orchard fruit, a subtle savoury edge, all wrapped in a soft, almost creamy texture. There’s a lovely balance here between freshness and weight, with just enough grip to give it shape and keep things interesting.
And again, just a really satisfying wine to drink. Textural, versatile, and equally at home with food or on its own. One of those bottles that feels generous without being heavy, and very easy to return to.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ White bean and sage stew
~ Pasta with sausage and fennel
~ Porchetta with fennel pollen
~ Roast chicken with potatoes
~ Truffle pecorino and honey
2024 Tornatore Etna Bianco
High on the slopes of Mount Etna, where vineyards push into some of the highest altitudes in Europe, Tornatore crafts wines that feel both powerful and precise. This is a landscape defined by extremes, volcanic soils, intense sunlight, and dramatic day-to-night temperature shifts — all coming together to shape something quite special in the glass.
Family-run and deeply connected to the region, Tornatore has built its reputation around showcasing the purity and character of Etna’s unique terroir. The result is a style of wine that feels focused, mineral, and quietly structured.
Made from 100% Carricante, a variety that rarely strays far from Etna, this is a beautifully composed expression of the grape.
There’s a natural brightness here, with citrus, green apple, and a subtle saline edge, all carried by a fine, almost chiselled line of acidity. A short time on lees adds just enough texture, while the absence of oak keeps everything clean and precise.
And honestly, it’s a bit of a standout. Tense, energetic, and incredibly refreshing, with a depth that slowly reveals itself over time. A brilliant food wine, but just as compelling on its own if you give it a moment in the glass.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Oysters or fresh prawns
~ Lemon pasta, simple, olive oil based
~ Grilled calamari
~ Lobster with citrus butter
~ Sicilian sardines with pine nuts and raisins
2023 La Spinetta Timorasso
La Spinetta is one of Italy’s most celebrated estates, a name that carries real weight, built over generations and recognised at the very top level of Italian wine. Known primarily for their work with Nebbiolo, their move into white wine, particularly Timorasso, feels less like a departure and more like a natural evolution.
From the rolling hills around Tortona, this wine is made from organically grown Timorasso, a variety that has quietly built a reputation for producing some of Italy’s most compelling and age-worthy whites. Fermented with native yeasts and aged on lees, the approach is simple, allowing the character of the grape and place to come through clearly.
In the glass, it’s a step up in depth and structure, citrus, stone fruit, a gentle honeyed note, and a subtle savoury edge, all wrapped in a firm line of acidity. There’s texture here, but also a sense of tension, giving the wine both weight and energy.
And again, just a seriously good drink. A little more layered, a little more contemplative, but still incredibly inviting. One that holds your attention, and very easily justifies a second glass.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Creamy mushroom pasta
~ Roast chicken with garlic and thyme
~ Hard cheeses (Comté, Aged Pecorino)
~ Veal with creamy sauce
~ Butter-poached lobster
CONCLUSION
These six wines offer a beautiful snapshot of what makes Italian white wine so compelling, a balance of place, tradition, and an effortless sense of drinkability. Each one speaks to its region in a different way, shaped by soil, climate, and the quiet decisions of the people behind them.
From the volcanic slopes of Etna to the rolling hills of Soave and Piedmont, and the sunlit vineyards of Sardinia and Lazio, this is a collection that highlights both diversity and identity. Wines that feel alive with energy, texture, and character, grounded in history, yet always inviting in the present.
What makes these wines so special is not just their story, but how easily they fit into our own. They belong at the table, alongside food, conversation, and those moments that don’t need much else.
And while each wine offers its own point of intrigue, together they remind us of something simple, that great wine doesn’t need to be overthought, just enjoyed.
ITALIAN WHITE WINES AT MARKET WINE STORE
