The ancient Greeks called Italy "Oenotria" meaning wine land and its inhabitants are today as passionate about their wines as ever. Hand in hand with this passion goes an intense commitment to local styles and local grape varietes, of which there are said to be more than 500. Yes 500 different varieties! As a result, Italy produces a wider, more fascinating range of individual, characterful wines than anywhere else in the world. And over the last two decades in particular, Italy's very finest wines have improved out of sight and their star is still on the rise. If anyone is going to truly challenge the famous names of France for supremacy in the battle for the hearts and minds of wine collectors the world over, it's the Italians. Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone look out. Here comes Tuscany, Piedmont and Puglia!