Wine Experiences Liguria

More information on Liguria

The Italian region of Liguria is the perfect destination for Wine Lovers who want to combine a trip to Italy's seaside with an immersive experience into the country's winemaking traditions. Here you will have the opportunity to visit some family-run wineries and enjoy memorable wine tastings while overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Liguria's Riviera is characterized by a jagged coastline where beautiful cliffs alternate to narrow pebble beaches and characteristic sea villages. The Riviera is divided into two sides: the Riviera di Levante (Coast of the Rising Sun) and the Riviera di Ponente (Coast of the Setting Sun).

The proximity to the sea and the peculiar landscape that characterize Liguria, where vines are grown on steep cliffs exposed to the sea breeze, have an important influence on the wine produced in this area. For this reason, during your wine tastings in Liguria, you will most likely taste wines that share a particular salinity, hard to find in wines produced elsewhere. Due to the geographical configuration of the territory, which imposes to carry out most of the work by hand and doesn't allow extensive cultivation, here you will visit wineries that focus on small-scale, high-quality production. Liguria currently boasts eight DOC and four IGT appellations that stand out for their originality.

Which food to taste in Liguria?

Within Liguria's small territory, divided between the Apennine hills and the Riviera coastline, you will be able to find a multitude of typical dishes that characterize this region's cuisine, with ingredients ranging from fish to legumes to sheep cheeses and meat. Some of the Ligurian dishes you should look for between a wine tasting and a winery visit are Focaccia Genovese, Focaccia di Recco, Farinata, Panissa, Trofie al pesto, Pansoti with walnut sauce, Brandacujùn, Baci di Alassio.

Which wines to taste in Liguria?

Wine production in Liguria is concentrated on the narrow coastal strip of land, as the hinterland is mainly characterized by large mountainous areas. During your wine tastings in Liguria, you will certainly taste wine made from Vermentino, the most widespread white grape in the region. Other common white grape varieties are Pigato, Bosco and Albarola. The production of black grape varieties in Liguria is mainly concentrated in the western part of the region, and the most cultivated varieties are Rossese, Ormeasco (Dolcetto), Barbera and Ciliegiolo.

Which is the best season to visit Liguria?

If you're looking for a way to combine wine tastings, visits to small-scale wineries and a weekend by the sea, then Liguria is the place for you. Thanks to its mild climate throughout the seasons, Liguria is a popular destination to visit all year round. Summers are ideal to enjoy its stony beaches and turquoise sea, while spring and autumn are popular amongst travelers that prefer going for a hike in the hinterland or exploring the region's coastal villages while less crowded.

What things to do in Liguria?

During your trip to the Ligurian Riviera, you will have the chance to taste some unique wines and visit many of the region's artisanal wineries. Between wine tours, we recommend visiting some of Liguria's highlights, such as: Cinque Terre, Riviera dei Fiori, Riviera delle Palme, Sanremo, Camogli, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante and the Golfo dei Poeti.