Venture to the Piemonte, which rests right at the foot of the Alps. Some of the intriguing wines you’ll encounter here: a Franciacorta (whose floral hints pair surprisingly well with fried foods); a Cinque Terre Blanco (Liguria’s most renowned wine); and a Barolo (often described as a “masculine” wine due to its burly tannins). Also, take a short trip to a winery’s barrel room to explore differences in aging techniques.