If you want to broaden your wine appreciation of Italian Wine, a great vacation escape to Italy is a must. The country is divided into four regions, each with its own distinctive climate, as well as its own style of wine bottling.

Italian Wine from the South
In Southern Italy, guides can take through the vineyards that account for nearly 40 percent of Italian wine production, with Apulia producing 14 percent of the nation's total. Although Southern Italy produces the most Italian wine, it doesn't produce the country's best. However, you can sip several types of Marsala, which account for a significant portion of the premium wines produced in Southern Italy.

The Wine Business of Central Italy
The wine business of Central Italy produces about 25 percent of the Italian wineproduction. Tuscany, which is home to five premium red wine zones:

Montepulciano, Carmignano, Chianti Classico and Chianti, is thought of as the center of Italian red wine production. But if your more interested in white wines, two high-quality whites, the dry Vernaccia di San Gimignana and the sweet Vin Santo, are produced here, too. Premium wines are also produced in Umbria—the most exciting reds there include the Sangiovese-based Torgiano Rosso Riserva and Sangrantino di Montefalco made from historic local varietals Sagrantino.

Northwest Italy
If you visit the northwest sector of Italy, the culture and wines are very different throughout the five regions. Expect to see some French, German and Swiss influences, especially in Lombardy's capital of Milano. Italian wine lovers will attest the red wines of Piemonte, especially Barolo and Barbaresco, are among the best. The Piemonte is best known for Asti, a sweet sparkling wine, second only in popularly to Champagne.

Northeast Italy
If your interest is in the technological advances of the Italian wine business,the three regions — Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giuliai and Trentino-Alto Adige — of Northeast Italy is for you. In Friuli-Venezia Giuliai you can sample some fine examples of the regions' Italian wine: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.