Italy makes a whole lot of wine. In fact, according to the most recent figures from the International Organization of Vine and Wine, Italy leads the globe in wine, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the world’s production. Despite the impressive volume, many drinkers are far more familiar with French Chardonnays and Napa Cabs than they are with Italian varieties. So I sat down with Michel Mincin for a crash course in Italian wine.

Mincin is the owner of Allora Wine Group, which specializes in importing Italian wines and providing wine education. You don’t have to talk to him for long to notice his passion for the subject. “You’re pushing almost a thousand grape varietals in a country that’s not that big,” enthuses Mincin. “There’s so much diversity in that small area … that’s what I love about it.” The 20 wine regions of Italy produce an incredible array of styles, from the everyday table wines of Tuscany to the heavy-hitting Barolo and Barbaresco of Piedmont.