Lazio

This large central region stretches north and south along the Tyrhennian Sea to Tuscany in the north and Campania in the south. Inland it borders on Marche, Abruzzo and Molise. The climate, which offers numerous opportunities for viticulture, is conditioned on one hand by the influence of the sea and on the other by colder air currents from the Apennines. Soils vary considerably from the more recent fertile plains near the coast to higher quality terrains on the foothills of the Apennines and in the areas of volcanic origin in the Colli Albani which produce Frascati, Lazio's most famous wine.

Besides the classic whites of this area, the wines of Anagni and several examples of top class Merlot from Cerveteri and Velletri have all attracted attention in recent years. The development of premium wine production has been lead by a number of key estates, which have established a reputation for quality and interest on the international market. Total output is almost 4 million hectolitres a year, of which 15% has DOC status.