Veneto is a region in north-eastern Italy; it is famous all over the world not only for the beauty of Venice, but also for the excellent wines produced here. Veneto hosts 14 DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), 29 DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin), and 10 IGT (Typical Geographical Indication). Great and renowned wines such as Amarone and Prosecco, and more, are produced here.
The famous Venetian red wines
When we’re talking about the sublime Venetian reds we can’t help but think of the Valpolicella area, north-west of Verona. Characterized by valleys and hills, the area has a continental climate which becomes Mediterranean near Lake Garda. Here the most cultivated black grape varieties are autochthonous: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara are the grape varieties that contribute to the production of a variety of Valpolicella DOC denomination wines. Although the wines are produced from the same grapes, the winemaking methods make them so special and so different from one another.
The Valpolicella Classico DOC and Valpolicella Valpentana DOC denominations indicate the different production areas of the wines made here. However, to distinguish between the different winemaking techniques, we use the appellations Superiore, when the wine is subjected to an aging period of at least one year, or Ripasso, in the event that the Valpolicella DOC is "passed", that is, put in contact with the pomace of Amarone. These wines are more structured than the classic version; they are more robust and deep, though still soft and round. The most famous red wines of Veneto undoubtedly include the outstanding Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, the Recioto Valpolicella DOCG, and the Bardolino DOC; the latter is produced on the east coast of Lake Garda.
The evolution of Valpolicella wines: Recioto and Amarone
From the vines used for the reds of Valpolicella, masterful Venetian winemakers make great noble wines: the Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG and the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG. The vinification process for both these excellent Veneto red wines involves the drying of the grapes for a period of about three months.
The grapes are then subjected to fermentation. In the case of Recioto, this is interrupted before all the sugar is converted into alcohol, giving rise to a sweet ruby red wine. For the Amarone, however, the fermentation of the grapes continues until all the sugars are consumed and converted into alcohol. The Amarone is then subjected to aging for at least two years; four years in the case of the Riserva type.
Amarone is a soft and pleasant garnet red wine that takes this name to distinguish itself from its sweeter brother, the Recioto. Thanks to its structure and elegance, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG can accompany first courses with elaborate sauces, and it excels with game and aged cheeses. This wine can also be enjoyed on its own, as a meditation wine like the Amarone Valpolicella DOCG 2018.
Veneto: what are the best white wines in the region?
Veneto delights the most refined palates with excellent white wines as well. Vineyards producing white wines of origin occupy 70% of the wine area of the region. Veneto has a rich heritage of native white grape varieties, including Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave, along with numerous international vines.
From the hills located between Verona and Vicenza comes the Soave DOC, a sweet white wine with unique characteristics. The Garganega grapes give this wine the aromas of almond, white flowers, and cinnamon, while the Trebbiano di Soave gives it flavour and structure. Although this wine is produced from predominantly volcanic soils, there are four distinct pedoclimatic macro-zones in its production area: the production conditions are so outstanding that Additional Geographical Units (UGA) were introduced to record and emphasize all the nuances of the wine made here.
Another renowned white wine of the region is the Lugana DOC, an interregional wine that is produced in both Veneto and Lombardy. Lugana is a lake wine, produced along the southern shore of Lake Garda, on clayey and mineral soils, from Trebbiano di Soave grapes. Versatile in gastronomic combinations, it gives its best with lake fish.
The famous Venetian sparkling wines
Principally a sparkling wine made using the Charmat Method, Prosecco has its home in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region and in Veneto. At least 85% of Prosecco grapes come the Glera vine; the remaining percentage comes from white grape varieties such as Glera Lunga, Perera, Verdisio and Bianchetta Trevigiana.
Prosecco is one of the best-loved Italian wines, and it is exported all over the world. While there have been numerous attempts at copying it, original Prosecco is made only in Italy. The Venetian hills are the location of choice for producing excellent prosecco, and it is in the province of Treviso that the Glera vine has found its maximum expression - as evidenced by the DOCG of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Cartizze sub-areas and the DOCG Colli Asolani.
What makes Venetian wines so special?
The success of Veneto wines is attributable to several factors. The region has an ancient history of viticulture, and its unique terroir has produced world-famous wines. In addition, the Veneto winemaking tradition began long before that of the ancient Greeks: the first testimonies to this date back to the Etruscans. And it is to the ancient Romans that we owe the trade and therefore the distribution of the wines of the region.
Extending from the Dolomites to the Adriatic Sea and enriched by the presence of Lake Garda, Veneto offers climatic variety and a territorial diversity that allows its great variety of vines, both native and international, to express themselves at their best, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Finally, it is the long tradition, experience, and savoir-faire of the winemakers which guarantee excellent wines for us to taste and appreciate.
Let yourself be transported to Veneto by tasting the best wines of the region! The experts of Svinando have selected only the best bottles from the most renowned wineries: Venetian wines are all to be discovered!