The Amazing Wines of Italy

1. France
2. Italy
3. USA

These are the three greatest wine producing countries in the world, and, I believe that is the correct order of "greatness".
I'm going to focus on Italy today, because that is one of my New Year's wine resolutions - to drink more Italian wine.
Italy is home to some of the oldest wine growing regions in the world, and the broad diversity of the wines is unparalleled. Just look at a small sample of grape varieties used. White: Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Moscato, Malvasia, Trebbiano and Verdicchio. Red: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Primitivo and Dolcetto.
There are 20 official wine regions in Italy.
Here are some of the most famous:
Tuscany: home to Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and the "Super Tuscans" such as Ornellaia, Solaia and Masseto.
Piedmont: Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Arneis and Dolcetto.
Veneto: Valpolicella, Amarone and Dolcetto, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Alto Adige is known for its white wines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Sylvaner.
Probably my favorite thing about Italian wines is how well they pair with food. Both whites and reds manage to have the perfect balance of fruit and acidity that make them ideal wines to have with a meal.
So, tonight I'm having pork chops with mashed potatoes and asparagus.
I'm thinking a Barbaresco should do the trick.

Tom