10 mineral waters you absolutely must try in Italy! 🇮🇹
Italy is renowned for its outstanding cuisine and coffee culture. The country also offers an impressive variety of mineral waters. From the clear springs of the Alps and the Dolomites to the mineral-rich regions of central and southern Italy, the country offers an extraordinary selection of natural mineral waters.
Some are particularly light and subtle, while others have a pronounced mineral content and a distinctive character. I’ve selected ten Italian mineral waters that I’d like to tell you more about.
Coming from Riardo in the Campania region, Ferrarelle is one of Italy’s best-known mineral water brands. It is naturally carbonated and bottled directly at the source. With a total mineral content of 1,300 mg per litre, Ferrarelle is one of the most mineral-rich waters in Italy. Its robust, distinctive taste is characterised primarily by its high levels of bicarbonate, calcium and other minerals. The natural carbonation provides lively effervescence and an intense mouthfeel. Ferrarelle is an excellent choice for those who enjoy full-bodied sparkling mineral water.
Galvanina hails from the Emilia-Romagna region, near Rimini. The brand’s history is closely tied to Italian tradition and the eponymous spring. The iconic glass bottle with its embossed Renaissance coat of arms is particularly striking and immediately catches the eye on any set table. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information about the mineral content on the company’s website. However, other sites report levels ranging from 475 to 580 mg per litre. Therefore, it is a water with low to medium mineral content.
Lauretana originates from Graglia in Piedmont, at the foot of the Italian Alps. With a mineral content of just 14 mg per litre, it is one of the least mineralised natural mineral waters in Europe. Its sodium content is just 0.9 mg per litre. On the palate, Lauretana is exceptionally smooth, light and subtle. With barely perceptible mineral notes, it is particularly well-suited to those who prefer water that is as neutral as possible. Its elegant glass bottle, designed in collaboration with Pininfarina, is also a visual highlight on the table. Lauretana is available in both blue and Pininfarina bottles in the SOMMCADEMY online shop for the United Arab Emirates.
Marzia comes from Chianciano Terme in Tuscany. What makes this water special is its high mineral content. With a total dissolved solids content of 1,372 mg per litre, it is one of the most mineral-rich waters in Italy. Its high levels of calcium (315 mg/l), sulphate (611 mg/l), bicarbonate (571 mg/l) and magnesium (100 mg/l) are what primarily characterise it. In contrast, the sodium content is comparatively low at 13 mg/l. Marzia has an exceptionally complex and full-bodied flavour.
Acqua Filette has been bottled in Guarcino, Lazio, since 1894. The brand takes a unique approach, encouraging consumers to not only drink the water, but also to savour and experience it. With a mineral content of around 222 mg per litre, Acqua Filette offers a balanced mineral profile. It is characterised by a low sodium content and harmonious composition. The brand offers an array of exceptional glass bottle designs and is positioned at the premium end of the international gastronomy market. It is a water for those who value aesthetics and individuality, even when it comes to mineral water.
Uliveto is sourced from the spring of the same name in the Tuscan town of Vicopisano. It is one of Italy’s best-known mineral waters. This naturally carbonated mineral water has a total mineral content of 729 mg per litre. Its distinctive levels of calcium and bicarbonate give the water a perceptible mineral character.
Fiuggi
Acqua Fiuggi is bottled in the town of Fiuggi in the Lazio region and has a centuries-old tradition behind it. Springing from the Ernici Mountains, it is renowned for its exceptionally light mineral content. With a total dissolved solids (TDS) level of just 150 mg per litre and a sodium content of only 8.1 mg per litre, it has a mild, balanced taste. Fiuggi offers its own luxury line in elegant glass bottles for upscale dining. It is a traditional Italian mineral water that combines lightness with timeless elegance.
Mangiatorella has been bottled in southern Italy since 1904. It originates from an unspoilt natural landscape near Monte Pecoraro in Calabria. With a mineral content of just 67.4 mg per litre, it is one of the lowest in Italy. Its exceptionally light character is also underscored by its low sodium content. It is understated, mild and refreshing on the palate, with no dominant mineral notes. It is a water for those who appreciate a particularly subtle mineral profile.
Cedea springs from the heart of the Dolomites in Val di Fassa, at the foot of Mount Marmolada and at an elevation of around 1,520 metres. It is bottled directly at its source in Alba di Canazei, and has a mild mineral content of around 132 mg per litre. On the palate, Cedea is smooth, balanced and mildly refreshing. In addition to its unique origin, the brand places great emphasis on aesthetics and sustainability; the distinctive, slender glass bottles are an integral part of its identity. Cedea is an elegant, premium water that brings the purity and character of the Dolomites to your table.
San Graziano hails from Mariano Comense in Lombardy, near Lake Como. It originates in the Prealps, where rainwater and meltwater seep through deep layers of glacial dolomite rock over many decades before reaching the spring. With a mineral content of 154 mg per litre, San Graziano is classified as lightly mineralised water. The brand uses high-quality glass bottles and offers still, lightly carbonated and classically carbonated versions.
Conclusion
A journey through Italy’s mineral water landscape vividly demonstrates just how diverse water can be. The country offers an impressive variety, from extremely lightly mineralised waters, such as Lauretana, to well-balanced classics, such as Uliveto and Acqua Fiuggi, to distinctive naturally sparkling waters, such as Ferrarelle.
The influence of the respective regions of origin is particularly fascinating. The geology of the Alps, the Dolomites, Sardinia and Campania shapes the mineral content and the taste of each water.
As a water sommelier, I find this fascinating because every water has its own unique characteristics. Every spring has its own story to tell, and every bottle offers the chance to experience it anew.
Have fun exploring and tasting them on your next visit to Italy!
With that said: Drink water, #stayhydrated
Best regards
Timo Bausch
Certified Water Sommelier
About SOMMCADEMY
Water is more than just a basic necessity. It represents taste, health, and experience. A new awareness is emerging: Drinking mindfully, recognizing differences, and truly understanding quality. As a certified Water Sommelier, I founded SOMMCADEMY to share the diversity and unique characteristics of mineral water with the world. With SOMMCADEMY, you can experience water in a whole new way, as a sensory journey that will make your event truly special / Timo Bausch Founder of SOMMCADEMY
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