Lazio, the region known as Latium in English, the ancient homeland of the Latins (see italy, history), the seat of Italy’s government and administration in the capital, Rome (see map under italy), and the large igt Lazio covering the entire region. The region’s total area of vineyard has declined considerably, to not much more than 17,000 ha/42,000 acres by the early 2010s.
More than a third of the total Lazio vineyard is now dedicated to making doc wine. White wines, almost exclusively from malvasia and trebbiano Toscano grapes, represent the majority of Lazio’s total vinous output, with the wines of the castelli romani representing by far the majority, although this DOC, like most of Lazio’s 27 DOCs, has a provision for the production of red wines based on Sangiovese and Montepulciano as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Malvasia and Trebbiano blends are also produced in quantity in the DOC zones of Cerveteri and Est!Est!!Est!!!, as well as in Lazio’s most famous DOC, frascati.
