Lazio
Lazio, a renowned wine-producing region in Italy, is known for its consistently mild climate and predominantly volcanic soils. This region, which was already celebrated for its vineyards during the Roman era, produced approximately 1.527 million hectoliters of wine in 2009. The wine production in Lazio is mainly concentrated in the Castelli Romani area, which accounts for about one third of the total production. The regional vineyards are predominantly cultivated with white grape varieties, covering over 75% of the vineyard area. Notably, the Malvasia (30%) and Trebbiani (30%) varieties are prominent, along with the indigenous Bellone (5%).
Lazio also cultivates blackberry vines on a smaller scale, including varieties like Cesanese and Affile, which are used to produce the region's only DOCG wine, Cesanese del Piglio DOCG. The region also grows international red berry vines, which yield outstanding results. Additionally, the region is recognized for unique wine productions like the red Aleatico of Gradoli and the white Est! East!! East!!! Di Montefiascone and Frascati.
| Region | Lazio |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Climate and soil | Lazio's coastal areas enjoy a temperate climate owing to the sea's mitigating influence on the winters and its cooling effect during the summers. However, the inland areas experience harsh winters and hot summers. Rainfall is less frequent along the coast and in the plains, while the mountainous areas receive abundant rainfall, particularly during winter and spring. With a landscape that's 54% hilly, 26% mountainous, and 20% flat, Lazio offers fertile soils and microclimatic conditions that are ideally suited for viticulture. |
| Red grape varieties | Aleatico, Cesanese Comune, Cesanese D'Affile, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah |
| White grape varieties | Bellone, Bombino Bianco/Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Grechetto, Malvasia del Lazio, Malvasia di Candia, Trebbiano, Trebbiano Toscano |
| DOCG | Cannellino di Frascati, Cesanese del Piglio, Frascati Superiore |
| DOC | Aleatico di Gradoli, Aprilia, Atina, Bianco Capena, Castelli Romani, Cerveteri, Cesanese di Affile, Cesanese di Olevano Romano, Circeo, Colli Albani, Colli della Sabina, Colli Etruschi Viterbesi, Colli Lanuvini, Cori, Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone, Frascati, Genazzano, Marino, Montecompatri Colonna, Moscato di Terracina, Nettuno, Orvieto, Roma, Tarquinia, Velletri, Vignanello, Zagarolo |
| IGT | Anagni, Civitella d’Agliano, Colli Cimini, Costa Etrusco Romana, Frusinate, Lazio |