Total Wine Italian Wine Tasting: A Wine Tour of Italy

After attending my first tasting at Total Wine earlier this year, I was hooked. So when I saw “A Wine Tour of Italy” on the schedule for March 12, I immediately signed up. This Total Wine Italian wine tasting featured eight wines, two whites and six reds, from regions across the country. The lineup covered a range of styles and clearly made an impression, as I left with five bottles in my bag.

The Total Wine Italian Wine Tasting Experience

This Total Wine Italian wine tasting was just as enjoyable as the first tasting I attended earlier this year. Alex led the event again, and she was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, approachable, and did a great job explaining the wines and their regions. Throughout the evening, she shared background on the wineries, grape varieties, and what makes each region unique.

One thing I really appreciate about these tastings is how relaxed they feel. You’re learning about the wines, but it never feels overly formal or intimidating. Instead, it feels like a guided tasting with friends who just happen to know a lot about wine.

There were also plenty of snacks available throughout the evening. Total Wine set out sandwiches, cheese, crackers, fruit, and a few dips. It was more than enough to keep our palates balanced as we worked through the wines.

And once again, the value was hard to beat. Because I’m a Total Wine Reserve member, the tasting cost only $10. Considering we tasted eight wines and received a full guided experience, it’s easily one of the best wine tasting values around.

Wines We Tasted on This Italian Wine Tour

The lineup for this Total Wine Italian wine tasting included eight wines from across Italy, with two whites and six reds. Prices ranged from $17.99 to $46.99, giving us a nice mix of everyday bottles and a few more premium selections.

While the white wines were enjoyable, the reds really stole the show for me during this tasting. In fact, several impressed me enough that I ended up bringing five bottles home.

Here’s how the wines ranked for me.

White Wines

Counuvio Pinot Grigio 2023 – $19.99
Rating: 3/5
A classic Pinot Grigio with crisp acidity and light citrus notes. It was refreshing, though it didn’t stand out as much as the reds later in the tasting.

Donnachiara Greco di Tufo 2024 – $21.99
Rating: 3/5
This wine had more body and minerality than the Pinot Grigio. It was interesting to try a Greco di Tufo, though it still wasn’t my favorite of the evening.

Red Wines

Rocca Felice Nebbiolo d’Alba 2023 – $21.99
Rating: 3/5
Light to medium-bodied with bright acidity and classic Nebbiolo structure. It was enjoyable but didn’t quite rise to the top of the lineup for me.

Montresor Valpolicella Ripasso Crosara – $21.99
Rating: 4/5
This wine had noticeably more richness and depth. Ripasso wines often bring a little extra character, and this one had great balance. It was also one of the bottles that came home with me.

Terre Darrigo Etna Rosso DOC 2024 – $25.99
Rating: 4/5
Elegant and slightly earthy with bright red fruit. Etna Rosso wines always feel a bit unique thanks to Sicily’s volcanic soils. I enjoyed this one enough to add it to my cart after the tasting.

Barba Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Yang 2023 – $17.99
Rating: 4/5
An easy-drinking red and the best value of the evening. It was smooth, approachable, and another bottle I decided to bring home.

Meleto Borgo Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 – $22.99
Rating: 5/5 (My second favorite)
This wine showed classic Chianti structure with great balance between fruit and acidity. It was one of the standouts of the tasting and absolutely earned a spot in my wine rack.

San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – $46.99
Rating: 5/5 (My favorite of the night)
Rich, complex, and beautifully structured. This Brunello was easily the most elegant wine of the evening and my clear favorite. I couldn’t leave without a bottle.

Italian Wine Regions and Classifications We Explored

One of the things I enjoy most about these tastings is learning a little more about how different regions shape the wines in the glass. During this Total Wine Italian wine tasting, we sampled wines from several well-known Italian regions, each with its own history, grapes, and style.

For example, the Chianti Classico Riserva and Brunello di Montalcino both come from Tuscany, one of Italy’s most famous wine regions. Tuscany is known for wines made primarily from the Sangiovese grape, which often deliver bright acidity, red fruit flavors, and excellent aging potential. Not surprisingly, those two wines were among my favorites of the evening.

We also explored wines from Veneto, Sicily, Abruzzo, and Piedmont. The Valpolicella Ripasso comes from Veneto and is known for its richer style thanks to a second fermentation with dried grape skins. The Etna Rosso comes from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, which gives the wines a distinctive earthy and mineral character. Meanwhile, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is known for approachable, fruit-forward reds that often offer great value.

Another interesting topic that came up during the tasting was Italy’s wine classification system, which helps indicate quality and regional authenticity. At the top is DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), the highest classification. Wines with this designation must meet strict regulations around grape varieties, production methods, and aging requirements. Brunello di Montalcino is a great example of a DOCG wine.

Next is DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), which also follows strict regional guidelines but with slightly broader rules. Finally, there’s IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), which offers winemakers more flexibility while still tying the wine to a geographic region.

Understanding these classifications makes tasting Italian wine even more interesting. It gives you a better sense of where the wine comes from and the traditions behind it.

The Final Pour

Overall, this Total Wine Italian wine tasting was another fantastic experience. The wines were diverse, the education was approachable, and the value was hard to beat, especially as a Reserve member paying just $10 for the event.

The lineup clearly made an impression because I left with five bottles: the Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Valpolicella Ripasso, and the Etna Rosso. Each one offered something a little different, and I’m looking forward to revisiting them again soon.

If you’re curious about my first experience at one of these tastings, you can also check out my Total Wine tasting review featuring wines from Spain and Portugal. That event was what convinced me these classes are absolutely worth attending.

And apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so. After another great night of wine and learning, we’ve already signed up for the April “Pop Open a Party” sparkling wine class. If this tasting was any indication, I have a feeling that one will be just as fun.