📍 Lazio

Lazio is a region in central Italy where Rome lies. Grapes were grown here as early as ancient Rome, and Romans drank the wines of the area. Around the capital there are many volcanic hills, on whose slopes light white, red and rosé wines are made.

The best-known zone is the Castelli Romani ("Roman Castles"), hills south-east of Rome. Frascati, Marino and other whites are made here from Malvasia di Candia and Trebbiano. Another well-known district is Montefiascone by Lake Bolsena, the home of the wine "Est! Est!! Est!!!". In the south of the region Cesanese grows (Cesanese del Piglio) and the reds of Cori, Circeo and Terracina, where a white Muscat is known.

Local grapes include Cesanese, Bellone, Nero Buono di Cori, Aleatico and Pampanaro. Wines are usually light and suit Roman cooking.

For comparison with its neighbours: to the north Lazio borders Tuscany and Umbria, where wine is more famous, to the east Abruzzo, and to the south Campania, whose volcanic slopes of Vesuvius give more powerful wines.