A couple of years ago, after trying to learn something about Italian wine but finding it extremely boring to read about wine regions I've never heard of (I'm geographically challenged), I discovered the perfect solution.  I studied the Giro parcours, read up on what wine regions the route traveled through, and bought something from those regions to drink while watching each stage.

 Here's what to drink for each stage!

Stage 1 - Lido di Venezia - Sat, May 9

Venezia is all about Pinot Grigio.  Nearby wine zones are Piave and Lison-Pramaggiore, both of which come in Pinot Grigio plus lots of other varietals.  I didn't find either of those at my local grocery store, but did find Pinot Grigio della Venezie.  I chose the Candoni, because their bottle is decorated with one of my favorite Etruscan frescoes.  It even comes with directions for turning the bottle into an "Italian Lamp."  Don't think so. 

On the flip: 20 stages to go!

Disclaimer:  I don't know much about wine, can't describe it better than "nice" or "too much oak," don't pay more than about 20 bucks (when I'm splurging) for a bottle, and only use one source of info:  Italian Wine for Dummies by Mary Ewing-Mulligan and Ed McCarthy.  

Stage 2 - Jesolo to Trieste - Sun, May 10

Piave and Lison-Pramaggiore are still choices for this stage.  You could also look for wines from Friuli-Venezia Giulia.  The stage apparently misses the best wines in the region (Collio and Collio Gorziano), but hits Isonzo, Carso, Friuli Aquilea, Friuli Latisana, and Friuli Annia.

Stage 3 - Grado to Valdobbiadene - Mon, May 11

The stage criss-crosses from Friuli back to Veneto, so you can finish off your Piave or Friuli Aquileia from the previous days.  Also look for Grave del Friuli or Colli di Conegliano.  I'm going to try to find the sparkling Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.

Stage 4 - Padova to San Martino di Castrozza - Tues, May 12

More Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiane or Colli di Conegliano.  Also, Montello e Colli Asolani, Colli Berici, Colli Euganei, or Breganze.

Stage 5 - San Martino di Castrozza o Alpe di Siusi - Wed, May 13

We finally leave Veneto behind and head into Alto-Adige.  Look for Lago di Caldero (also known as Kalterer or Kaltersee in this German-speaking region), Colli di Bolzano (Bozner Leiten), and Santa Maddalener (St. Magdalener).  These are all primarily made from the Schiava (Vernatsch) grape, which produces light-bodied reds.

Stage 6 - Bressanone (Brixen) to Mayrhofen - Thur, May 14

Still in Alto-Adige.  Look for Valle Isarco.

Stage 7 - Innsbruck to Chiavenna - Fri, May 15

We come into Lombardy in this stage.  The nearest wine zones are Valtellina and Sfursat where the vines grow at 2500 ft!

Stage 8 - Morbegno to Bergamo - Sat, May 16

Valtellina and Sfursat again or look for a Bergamo Valcalepio.

Stage 9 - Milano - Sun, May 17

There's just none.  Finish up all your bottles from the previous stages.

Stage 10 - Cuneo to Pinerolo - Tues, May 19

Into Piedmont and a day for reds - Colline Saluzzesi, Pinerolese, or Valsusa.

Stage 11 - Torino to Arezano - Wed, May 20

Kiss your liver goodbye:  Asti Spumante, Moscato d'Asti, Barbera d'Asti, Dolcetto d'Asti, Dolcetto d'Acqui, Dolcetto di Ovada, Freisa d'Asti, Freisa di Chieri, Grignolino d'Asti, Monferrato Bianco, Monferrato Rosso, Barbera del Monferatto, Gavi, or Brachetto d'Acqui.

Stage 12 - Sestri Levante to Riomaggiore - Thur, May 21

Ostensibly, you could find Cinqueterre, Golfo del Tigullio, or Colli di Luni, but I think all the tourists to the Ligurian Riviera drink it all before it can leave Italy.

Stage 13 - Lido di Camaiore to Firenza - Fri, May 22

You could look for Candia dei Colli Apuani, Colline di Lucchesi, Montecarlo, Bianco dell'Emploese, Carmignano, Barco Reale di Carmignano, or Colli dell'Etruria Centrale, but this is Tuscany - just buy a Chianti Classico!

Stage 14 - Campi Bisenzio to Bologna - Sat, May 23

Finish off your Chianti, celebrate the finish with a Colli Bolognese, or just go for the wine of Emilia - Lambrusco, especially Lambrusco Grasparessa di Castelvetro, the Lambrusco zone nearest to the course.

Stage 15 - Forli to Faenza - Sun, May 24

Lots of wine along the route in Romagna:  Albana di Romagna, Sangiovesi di Romagna, Trebbiano di Romagna, Cognina di Romagna, Pagadebit di Romagna, Bosco Eliceo, Colli di Rimini, Colli di Imala, Colli di Faenza.

Stage 16 - Pergola to Monte Petrano - Mon, May 25

Into the Marches today.  Look for Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Colli Pesaresi, Bianchello del Metauro.

Stage 17 - Chieti to Blockhaus - Wed, May 27

Yay!  A wine you can be sure to find - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.  Or, if you like white, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.

Stage 18 - Sulmona to Benevento - Thur, May 28

More of the Abruzzo wines, or look for Pentro, a wine of Molise, or Solopaca from Campagnia.

Stage 19 - Avellino to Vesuvio - Fri, May 29

Can't wait for this stage and the choices in wines just add to the excitement.  Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio is top of my list, but there is also Fiano di Avellino, Taurasi, Greco di Tufa, Costa d'Amalfi, and Peninsola Sorrentino.  Maybe I'll buy one of each and watch the stage 6 times!

Stage 20 - Napoli to Anagni - Sat, May 30

You could choose more wines from Campagnia - Gallucio, Falerno del Massico, Campi Flegrei, or Aspirinio di Aversa - or start in on some from Lazio - Atina, Genazzano, Cesanese di Piglio, or Cori.

Stage 21 - Roma - Sun, May 31

Better buy lots.  Gotta drown the sorrow of the end of the Giro.  Frascati, Marino, Colli Albani, Castelli Romani, Montecompatri Colonna, Colli Lanuvini, Zagarolo, Velletri, or Genazzano.

Salute!