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    The Wine Leaders' Board: Five Awesome Italian White Wines

    By | Shine Food – Fri, Jul 20, 2012 5:05 PM EDT

    A glass of white wine stands next to a green-hued bottle.A glass of white wine stands next to a green-hued bottle.White wines are always the top choice in summer. Why not branch out a bit and try an Italian white?

    You may not be very familiar with most Italian white wines. When most people think of Italian wine, they think red. But there are a number of delicious and amazing white wines from the country shaped like a boot as well! And some are quite popular.

    As the People's Voice Wine Awards concludes its fourth week of voting, we've noticed a few patterns on the Italian white wine leader board. There are some wines that really stand out. Some you may have heard of but others you may not know about yet. Let's take a look at the top five:

    1. Cavit Pinot Grigio
    A crisp selection with fruit flavors, this wine is probably a familiar one that you can find pretty easily for around $10. This Pinot Grigio comes to us from the Italian Delle Venezie region and it pairs very well with a light dish like Barley Risotto with Asparagus and Parmesan.

    2. Franz Haas Kris Pinot Grigio
    Another Pinot Grigio selection priced around $12, this wine comes from the Venezie Igt region and is a little lesser known in The States. A surprising lemon-green color, the wine's flavors include a touch of citrus and almonds. Pair this with something like a Millet Cheddar Polenta with Roasted Vegetables for best results.

    3. Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio
    We return to the usual straw-yellow hue with this selection out of the Vigneti delle Dolomiti region. The wine has a dry but elegant and balanced flavor accented with a bit of citrus fruit and a touch of peach and it's available for about $13. We like to pair this with a Parmesan-Pecan Fried Chicken.

    4. Villa Antinori Bianco di Toscana
    A Tuscany blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Chardonnay sold for about $12, this white is clean but zesty in flavor. Many drinkers also taste pear, apple and some crisp acidity in this wine. You might consider pairing this selection with a bit of Baked Camembert with Thyme & Garlic.

    5. Luna di Luna Chardonnay Pinot Grigio
    A mix of two very popular grapes, this Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio blend from the Venezie Igt region offer a balanced flavor combining mild fruits with a touch of citrus. You can find it for around $14. It's best when paired with a simple dish like Hoisin Five-Spice Chicken Legs.

    Don't see any of your favorite Italian white wines here? Nominate or vote for them now!

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