2026
Central Italy Education
Central Italy Regions, Grapes and Food Pairings
Wine Regions
IGP, DOC, DOCG
Grapes
Grapes of Central Italy
Food & Wine Pairing
Recipes for our favorite pairings
Producer Profiles
Winery Details
Rate your favorite recipes
Test your Central Italy Knowledge
Further Education Opportunities
Wine Scholar Guild
Looking to take your Italian wine knowledge to the next level? The Wine Scholar Guild offers the Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) certification, an in-depth program covering all of Italy’s wine regions, grape varieties, classifications, and winemaking traditions. Whether you’re a serious enthusiast or pursuing professional credentials, the IWS program provides a rigorous and rewarding deep dive into one of the world’s most complex wine countries.
Wine Scholar Guild also offers programs in French Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar, and specialized Master-Level certifications for those ready to go even deeper.
Special thanks to Wine Scholar Guild for allowing us to use their maps in our NTP educational materials.
Books
Vino Italiano
By Joseph Bastianich and David Lynch. The most comprehensive American guide to Italian wines, covering all regions with key wine styles, producers, and vintages. Includes delicious regional recipes. IACP Award winner. Perfect for understanding Central Italy in context of the whole country. Amazon Link
Native Wine Grapes
By Ian D’Agata. The definitive reference on over 500 Italian grape varieties. Thirteen years of research produced this award-winning guide covering identification, clones, soils, and DNA evidence. Essential for understanding Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Verdicchio, and dozens of obscure Central Italian varietiesAmazon Link
Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs
By Ian D’Agata. The companion to Native Wine Grapes, focusing on specific terroirs. In-depth analysis of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Montefalco, and lesser-known zones. Named a Best Wine Book by NY Times and Food & Wine. Amazon Link
Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0
Edited by Stevie Kim with Professor Attilio Scienza. The official study guide for Vinitaly International Academy. Covers 430+ native grape varieties with infographics, maps, and flash cards. Now includes benchmark producers for each grape. Perfect for visual learners. Amazon Link
The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy
By Nicolas Belfrage MW Regional and village guide to the best wines and producers. Covers Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Umbria, Romagna, and Marche. Includes vintage guide 1990-2008 and food pairing chapter. Foreword by Hugh Johnson. Amazon Link
Brunello di Montalcino: Understanding and Appreciating One of Italy’s Greatest Wines
By Kerin O’Keefe The most thorough English-language book on Brunello. Covers origins, history, legislation, zonal variations, and detailed producer profiles by sub-region. Essential if Brunello is in the NTP selection. Amazon Link
Magpies Guide to Montalcino
By Laura R Gray (2024). A quirky, intimate A-Z exploration of Montalcino’s wine and people. Fresh perspective on the region. Amazonlink Amazon Link
Italian Wines
By Shelley Lindgren and Kate Leahy “IACP AWARD FINALIST.” Journey through all twenty regions of Italy to discover the grapes, terrain, and historical techniques that have influenced modern Italian winemaking in this accessible and stunning guide to Italian wines.”
Available in both written and audio via Amazon and written copies can are also available on Thriftbooks Link Amazon Link
Vino Splendido
By Clifford Mckee Audiobook. “Embark on a sensory journey through the sprawling Italian vineyards as you uncover the ancient art and modern science of winemaking. From the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany to the rolling hills of Piedmont and the sun-soaked shores of Sicily, this captivating book delves deep into the diverse grape varieties and unique terroirs that define each region. Immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural heritage of Italian winemaking, tracing back centuries of tradition and innovation in every bottle.”
Amazon Link
Italy in a Wineglass
By Marc Millon. “A leading travel writer guides readers on a sumptuous journey through time and flavor to understand how and why wine transformed Italy . . .” Amazon Link Thriftbooks Link
Videos
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN)
The actor’s Emmy-winning travel series explores Italian food and wine region by region. Three episodes are directly relevant to our Central Italy focus:
- Season 1, Episode 2: Rome – Tucci searches for the famed Four Pastas (carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, gricia), plus cheeses and cured meats from Lazio
- Season 1, Episode 5: Tuscany – Tucci embarks on a wine crawl through his family’s homeland, celebrates bread traditions, and samples dishes using stale bread as the central ingredient
- Season 2, Episode 3: Umbria – “The Green Heart of Italy” episode covers wild boar hunts, black truffle farms, and why Umbria has the highest pork consumption per capita in Italy
Streaming on Max (with subscription), available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, or free with ads on The Roku Channel and Xumo Play.
There’s also a newer series, Tucci in Italy (2025) on Disney+/Hulu that continues his explorations.
Podcasts
I’ll Drink to That! Wine Talk
Hosted by former sommelier Levi Dalton. In-depth interviews with winemakers, importers, and wine personalities. Search the archive for Italian episodes including producers from Tuscany and Central Italy. Podcast Link
Italian Wine Podcast
The first English-language podcast dedicated exclusively to Italian wine, hosted by Stevie Kim of Vinitaly International. Seven days a week with over six million listens. Podcast Link
Wine for Normal People
Elizabeth Schneider’s accessible approach to wine education. Search for Italian wine episodes. Podcast Link
Wine 101 (VinePair)
Keith Beavers breaks down wine topics in digestible fashion. Italian episodes provide a good foundation. Spotify Link
Articles
Italian Wines Central Archives
Italian Wine Central (IWC) is the leading English-language source of accurate, up-to-date information about Italian wine, recognized as a key spokesmedium for Italian wine in the United States. IWC’s resources include this website, two educational programs, and several editions of the manual Into Italian Wine. The articles archive is continually updated with new articles.
Italy. Article Link
Discovering Hidden Wine Gems and Winemakers in Central Italy
Appetito is a digital media company that specializes in Italian food, drink, and the vibrant lifestyle that surrounds them. The platform has become a trusted voice for enthusiasts and connoisseurs, with stunning content that captures the essence of Italian cuisine.
Article Link
A Guide To The Central Italy Wine Regions
Glass Of Bubbly is an online resource for news and information on Champagne and Sparkling wines, prestigious industry awards and trade tastings. However it has other articles available.
Article Link
Italy’s Beating Heart: Tuscany and the Wines of Central Italy
Lesser-known Wine Regions of Central Italy: Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, and Le Marche
© Dennis Fraley / The Bottle Talk®. This content was developed for the American Wine Society National Tasting Project. Any use or reproduction outside of NTP participation requires written permission from the author.