When it comes to Italian red wines, there’s no shortage of flavors and styles. From bright and fruity to bold, earthy, and structured, each region brings something unique to the table.

Here are 12 red wines (provided to me as samples) that show the beauty and individuality of five Italian winemaking regions: Piedmont, Tuscany, Sardinia, Sicily, and Veneto.

Piedmont

Coppo Pomorosso Nizza 2021 ($55)
This 100% Barbera from the Nizza subzone of Piedmont’s Barbera d’Asti packs a big, fresh wallop of smoky, lush dark fruit with hints of vanilla oak, zingy mint, eucalyptus, white pepper, and a bright cherry finish. Robust and youthful, this zesty wine belies its 16.5% alcohol content. Pair it with seasonal autumn dishes like pork chops with apples and bacon.

G.D. Vajra Freisa Kyè 2021 ($45)
G.D. Vajra, a pioneer of organic farming in Piedmont, is renowned for its Barolo wines. However, the winery also champions less common grape varieties like Freisa, a close relative of Nebbiolo. The Freisa grape produces a vibrant red wine with peppery and floral notes. "Kye" is a Piedmontese dialect expression that translates to "who is?" and signifies surprise or curiosity. This name reflects the surprise one might experience when tasting a wine made from Freisa. Try it with osso buco and polenta.

Tuscany

Borgo dei Guidi Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($32)
This Tuscan blend merges Cabernet Sauvignon's power with Sangiovese's bright acidity and cherry notes. Notes of cherry and strawberry mingle with hints of vanilla oak and spice, enveloped in firm tannins. Surprisingly light on its feet considering its 14.5% alcohol content. Pair with grilled lamb chops.

Capezzana ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano 2018 ($30) The Carmignano DOCG distinguishes itself from other nearby Tuscan appellations by requiring a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (10%- 20%) in the blend. This wine is made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from certified organic vineyards. It shows the purity and elegance of Sangiovese and the structure and power of Cabernet Sauvignon. With bold flavors of ripe dark berries, hints of cedar and tobacco, and a touch of earthy minerality, it's the perfect choice for those looking to explore the depth and elegance of Tuscan reds. Try it with chicken cacciatore.

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2018 ($62)
Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy's most prestigious wines, comes from the hillsides surrounding the town of Montalcino in Tuscany. Made exclusively from Sangiovese, this wine undergoes extensive aging, developing complex aromas and flavors. While 2018 Brunellos are still young, the CastelGiocondo is drinking well now with a lovely, delicate nose of fresh cherries, strawberries, and raspberries and hints of leather, fall leaves, and iron. The velvety dusty tannins and a nice salinity pair well with a fall dish like roast pork with butternut squash. Decant for about 30 minutes before serving.

Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana 2017 ($50)
The Mazzei family’s Tenuta Belguardo estate is known for its complex, elegant, and aromatic wines. Grown on the sun-soaked coastal plains of Maremma in Tuscany, this full-bodied, savory blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc bursts with dark fruit and herbal notes, enveloped by a zippy acidity and silky tannins. This energetic wine captures the Maremma seaside's essence and pairs beautifully with a hearty tomato-based shellfish stew.

Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 ($36)
Founded in 1974, Querciabella, located in Greve in Chianti, is one of Chianti Classico’s leading biodynamic estates. Focusing on terroir, they produce stellar Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan blends that consistently receive high ratings. The Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 Riserva, a blend of the best grapes from the communes of Greve, Radda and Gaiole, features rose, violet, cherries, and juniper berry aromas. The juicy yet savory palate, firm tannins, bright acidity, and persistent finish make it a great wine with food. You can pair this wine with everything from grilled meats and vegetables to seafood stews.

Volpolo di Sapaio Bolgheri 2022 ($34)
Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast, is renowned for its "Super Tuscan" wines. The region excels in producing wines from international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, often blended with native grapes (like Sangiovese) to create bold, complex reds. The 2022 vintage of Volpolo is full of ripe fruit balanced by a pleasant muskiness, with hints of oak, cedar, eucalyptus, and a long, velvety finish. Try it with a grilled Porterhouse steak smothered with sautéed mushrooms. Read more about the winery here: Podere Sapaio, A Balancing Act in Bolgheri.

Sardinia

Surrau Isola dei Nuraghi IGT 2020 ($29) This Sardinian winery’s unique location is in the Gallura region, where the vineyards benefit from a combination of granite soils and the cooling winds from the nearby sea. This climate helps produce high-quality grapes which are crafted into wines that beautifully express the island's distinct terroir. A blend of Cannonau, Carignan, and Bovale, the Isola dei Nuraghi is vinified in steel tanks to maintain its fresh character. It features bright cherry fruit, herbal notes, zippy acidity, and a firm structure, with hints of pepper, tar, and tobacco. This energetic and well-balanced wine pairs perfectly with pasta in a tomato basil sauce.

Sicily

Donnafugata Sherazade Nero d'Avola 2022 ($23)
Sherazade is a fresh, young version of Sicily’s most planted red grape, Nero d'Avola. Big, bright, fresh and juicy dark fruit (plum and cherry) with black pepper, tar, fresh oregano, and tomato; well-integrated, soft tannins. Drink now, slightly chilled, with roasted kale and tomato-topped pasta.

A note on the colorful label: Artist Stefano Vitale designed the Sherazade label inspired by the legendary storyteller Sherazade from "One Thousand and One Nights." Its striking imagery and bright colors reflect the wine's character and the essence of Sicily’s rich storytelling tradition.

Firriato Cavanera Rovo delle Coturnie Etna Rosso 2018 ($34)
Firriato, a leading Sicilian winery known for its commitment to indigenous grapes, produces this Etna Rosso DOC on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. Grown in mineral-rich soils at high altitudes, this blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio yields a fresh, complex wine with a distinct volcanic character. It offers notes of cherry, earth, smoke, and pepper, complemented by a velvety tannic structure. A fresh and elegant wine to pair with lamb tenderloin.

Veneto

Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella 2016 ($75)
This Amarone is crafted using the traditional appassimento method, where grapes are dried for three months before fermentation. Le Ragose winery is situated at the highest point of the Valpolicella Classico zone, 350 meters above sea level in Negrar, north of Verona. This elevation keeps the vineyards above the winter fog and provides excellent sun exposure and low humidity—ideal conditions for the long grape-drying process, crucial to Amarone production. The 2016 is a concentrated yet elegant wine with intense layers of ripe black cherry, dried fig, and a touch of cocoa powder and coffee. Surprisingly, as I learned at a recent press luncheon, it pairs beautifully with the aromatic spices of Indian cuisine. It also complements any style of stewed or grilled meats equally well.