Although it is not the most sought after for its wines, Rome sits right in the centre of Italy and the Lazio province. If you are visiting Italy as a tourist, my guess is your trip will start here (or Milan or Venice). The city may take a lifetime to fully see, but in my opinion no trip to Italy can be complete without a few days in Rome; strolling the ruins, and eating pizza. Some things are touristy for a reason, and Rome is no exception. And after all the hustle and bustle of being a Roman tourist, surely you will be looking for a good glass of wine. 

As a wine interested tourist you are not looking for drink your way through local Roman wines, but from my experience it is important to look out for local wines and foods of the region in Italy you are in as you may not be able to find them once you leave that region. You might be moving on to different more wine focused areas after Rome, but what do you drink while you’re in the city itself? We like to drink local, don’t we?! 

So, while you are out eating, what types of wines are from Rome’s province of Lazio? What do we drink with our pizza or plate of pasta while in Rome? Here I suggest 3 wines to look for when in Rome, from Lazio, and drink like a local.

1. Cesanese del Piglio DOCG (the only DOCG) comes from Cesanese (the grape variety) in the area of Piglio. This is a red reserve, normally aged a minimum of 3-5. It has a very good value of quality and price. You can expect a complex wine- spicy, notes of pepper, hints of vanilla and liquorice, and it is said you can feel the heat of Lazio in your glass. This wine is best served with heavy plates, like polpette (meatballs) or sugo di carne. 

Winery to look for: La Visciola 

2. Frascati – a Roman white wine, often sparkling, mainly a blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano (in various combinations) This is a wine to be drank young, it is not a wine to purchase to age. Consider it at an aperitivo, or as something light and fresh in the afternoon. 

Winery to look for: Villa Simone 

3. Castelli Romani is the most important area of wine production due to its soil and microclimate. 

The real “Roman wine” coming from the hills and lake areas surrounding Rome, near the Ciampino airport. While they are not overly complex or structured, they are said to be typical – fresh and easy drinking. Both red and white can often have a slight fizz to them, but they are easy drinking and would happily compliment a pizza. 

Winery to look for: Villa Simone

Looking for wineries to visit while you explore Lazio? 

The winery Il Casale del Giglio produces many French varieties, it is one of the reasons Lazio is starting to be considered for good quality wines. The winery does not have many local varieties, but he has made the hills to be reconsidered for their quality of grapes. If found on a restaurant wine list, you know you will be drinking good quality wines from Lazio. 

Looking for an organic or “bio” winery of Lazio? Trebotti is a sustainable, organic winery located an hour and a half from Rome but still in Lazio. It is definitely a great place to visit if you are travelling North to Florence and would like to stop for a winery to visit and have a tasting along the way. 

La Tana dell’Istrice di Sergio Mottura is near as well, and has been considered extremely prestigious for their quality of wines. 

A note on Lazio, the area has dramatically changed its wine production since the 1980’s, and almost in the last 10 years now producing wines worth more attention.

Drink up everything Rome has to offer, its sights, history, and smells (although not the cleanest city, its grit is part of it’s charm). Eat everything, enjoy the simplicity of Roman food, and the wines that go with it. Take this opportunity to drink wines in Rome like a local, and drink from Lazio!