50 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Posso fare una degustazione?
Can I do a wine tasting?
When visiting a winery ('cantina') or wine bar and wanting to taste multiple wines before deciding on a purchase.
Questo vino viene prodotto qui?
Is this wine produced here?
When visiting a winery or enoteca and wanting to confirm the wine is estate-produced.
Che profumo! Cosa sento?
What a fragrance! What do I smell?
When smelling a wine during tasting and wanting to express appreciation while asking for guidance on the aromas.
Qual è la differenza tra Barolo e Barbaresco?
What is the difference between Barolo and Barbaresco?
In Piedmont when confronted with both great wines and wanting to understand the fundamental differences.
Che annata è?
What vintage is it?
During any wine tasting to understand the harvest year — crucial for understanding the wine's age, development, and character.
Possiamo visitare il vigneto?
Can we visit the vineyard?
At a winery when you want to see the vineyards and understand the terroir behind the wine.
È un vino tannico?
Is it a tannic wine?
When about to taste a red wine and wanting to know its tannin level — relevant to food pairing and personal preference.
Avete il Brunello di Montalcino?
Do you have Brunello di Montalcino?
In Tuscany when looking for Italy's most prestigious red wine — Brunello di Montalcino.
Avete vini macerati in Italia?
Do you have skin-contact wines in Italy?
When looking for orange wines (white wines made with extended skin contact) — an Italian specialty from Friuli.
L'Amarone è fatto con uve appassite?
Is Amarone made with dried grapes?
In Veneto wine country when tasting or learning about Amarone — one of Italy's most powerful and distinctive wines.
Questo bianco è molto minerale.
This white wine is very mineral.
When tasting a white wine with a distinctive mineral, stony, or saline character — common in wines from volcanic or limestone soils.
Qual è la differenza tra Chianti e Chianti Classico?
What is the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico?
In Tuscany when confronted with various Chianti designations — understanding the distinction is crucial.
Qual è la differenza tra Prosecco e Champagne?
What is the difference between Prosecco and Champagne?
When discussing Italian sparkling wines — a common question that reveals important distinctions about production method.
A che temperatura si serve questo vino?
At what temperature is this wine served?
When a wine is served and you want to confirm the correct serving temperature — an important factor in experiencing a wine correctly.
Cosa abbinate con questo vino?
What do you pair with this wine?
When tasting a wine and wanting to know what food it pairs with best — essential knowledge for using the wine at home.
Il terroir è il segreto di questo vino?
Is the terroir the secret of this wine?
When engaging in a deeper conversation about what makes a wine distinctive — the terroir (soil, climate, topography) question.
Il vino è biologico?
Is the wine organic?
When you want to know about the farming practices behind the wine.
Come si conserva questo vino?
How is this wine stored?
When you are buying a wine and want to know the correct storage conditions for optimal preservation.
Questo vino va decantato?
Should this wine be decanted?
Before opening a bottle to understand whether decanting will improve the wine's expression.
Cosa significa DOC su questo vino?
What does DOC mean on this wine?
When confused by the Italian wine classification system — essential knowledge for understanding Italian wine labels.
Posso comprare una bottiglia?
Can I buy a bottle?
After a successful tasting when you want to purchase a bottle to take home or as a gift.
C'è un sommelier?
Is there a sommelier?
In a fine dining restaurant or wine bar when you want professional wine guidance.
Cosa si intende per vino naturale?
What is meant by natural wine?
When encountering 'vino naturale' on a menu or wine list and wanting to understand what it means.
Avete un vino passito?
Do you have a passito wine?
When looking for Italian dessert wine made from partially dried grapes — a different category from fresh sweet wine.
È possibile visitare la cantina?
Is it possible to visit the winery?
When arriving at a winery and wanting to tour the production facility as well as taste.
Avete vini delle grandi annate in magazzino?
Do you have wines from great vintages in stock?
When looking for aged wines from exceptional vintages — a collector's question that signals serious wine knowledge.
Avete qualcosa di fresco e leggero?
Do you have something fresh and light?
When you want a light, refreshing wine — in summer, before a meal, or when not looking for complexity.
Cerco un vino come regalo — cosa mi consiglia?
I am looking for a wine as a gift — what do you recommend?
When buying wine as a gift and wanting expert guidance on an appropriate choice.
Organizzate tour enogastronomici?
Do you organise food and wine tours?
When planning a more immersive wine and food experience — tours combining winery visits, tastings, and regional food.
Proviamo un assaggio alla cieca?
Shall we try a blind tasting?
When you want to test your wine knowledge without knowing what you are drinking — the ultimate wine education exercise.
Ha sentori di muschio e terra.
It has notes of moss and earth.
Use during a tasting to describe earthy, forest-floor aromas typical of aged Italian reds like Barolo or Chianti Riserva.
Qual è il vostro vino più pregiato?
What is your most prized wine?
Ask when you want to taste or learn about the flagship wine of a producer — their best and most complex bottle.
Il vino è un po' velato.
The wine is a little hazy.
Use to describe slight cloudiness in a wine — common in unfiltered natural wines and not necessarily a defect.
Cosa abbino a questo vino con il risotto?
What do I pair with this wine alongside risotto?
Use when you have chosen a wine and want guidance on what food to serve alongside it.
È un vino da meditazione.
It is a meditation wine.
Use to describe a complex, powerful wine meant to be sipped slowly and contemplated alone — not consumed with food.
Questo è un vino di terroir.
This is a terroir wine.
Use when describing a wine that distinctly expresses the character of its specific plot of land — soil, microclimate, aspect.
Posso comprare direttamente dalla cantina?
Can I buy directly from the winery?
Ask when you want to purchase wine directly from the producer — almost always cheaper and guarantees authenticity.
È un po' troppo tannico per i miei gusti.
It is a little too tannic for my taste.
Use to express a personal preference politely without criticising the wine. 'Per i miei gusti' makes the comment subjective and considerate.
Fa affinamento in acciaio inox?
Does it age in stainless steel?
Ask when you want to understand if the wine was aged in neutral stainless steel tanks rather than oak barrels.
Ha una buona persistenza aromatica.
It has a good aromatic persistence.
Use in formal tastings to describe how long aromas linger on the palate after swallowing — a key quality indicator.
Questo vino è molto minerale.
This wine is very mineral.
Use when you detect a stony, chalky, or saline quality in a wine — often associated with volcanic soils or limestone.
Si può visitare il vigneto?
Can one visit the vineyard?
Ask at a winery when you want to walk among the vines. Vineyard visits add enormous context to the tasting.
Questo vino ha una bella struttura.
This wine has a beautiful structure.
Use to compliment a wine's overall architecture — the balance of tannins, acidity, alcohol, and body. A high compliment in any tasting.
Avete un vino dolce della zona?
Do you have a local sweet wine?
Ask at the end of a meal or tasting when you want to try a local dessert wine. Every Italian region has its own sweet wine tradition.
È un vino di piccola produzione?
Is it a small-production wine?
Ask to understand the scale of production — which often correlates with artisan quality and exclusivity.
È un blend o un monovitigno?
Is it a blend or a single variety?
Ask to understand the grape composition of any Italian wine. Both blends and single varieties are common in Italy.
Posso parlare con il produttore?
Can I speak with the producer?
Ask when you want a direct conversation with the winemaker or winery owner. In small family estates, the producer often conducts tastings personally.
Che differenza c'è tra queste due etichette?
What is the difference between these two labels?
Ask when comparing two wines from the same producer — perhaps a standard version and a Riserva, or two different vineyards.
Da quanto tempo è aperta questa bottiglia?
How long has this bottle been open?
Ask in a wine bar or tasting room when you want to know how long a bottle has been open — relevant for wine quality, especially for delicate whites.
Consiglio di decantarlo prima.
I recommend decanting it first.
Say this when opening a young tannic red or an old wine with sediment. Decanting aerates the wine and separates it from sediment.