Venetia (Italian: Veneto) is one of the most historic wine-growing regions in Italy. It is characterized by its multifaceted grape varieties and successful products such as Lugana, Amarone della Valpolicella, Soave and Prosecco. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the area.
Venetian diversity
With a vineyard area of around 80,000 hectares, Veneto is only the third largest wine region in the country after Sicily and Apulia, but with eight million hectoliters it is by far the most produced. But that doesn't mean that you're focusing on quantity instead of quality. Rather, the range of wines is characterized by its class and versatility.
A total of 29 DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and 14 DOCGs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Gerantita) can be found here, which also account for half of the production. Whether it's Lugana, Prosecco, Soave or Amarone della Valpolicella - here wine connoisseurs will discover a great variety that never ceases to amaze.
Climatic and geographic features
Veneto is located in the middle of four wine regions between the foothills of the Alps in the north and the Adriatic coast in the south. These are Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the east, South Tyrol and Lombardy in the north and west, and Emilia-Romagna in the south.
Climatically, Mediterranean influences are predominant, which affect the interior of the country up to the flat Po plain. In the north, the temperate influences of the Alps are predominant, which act as a natural storm barrier. The resulting north-south gradient is also reflected in the soil.
The ground in the north has a particularly stony and calcareous subsoil, which is characterized by its barrenness and water permeability. In the south, clay, sand and pebbly alluvial soils are predominant. The most fertile soils are clearly in the Po Valley, which is why a large part of mass production is concentrated here. Between the rivers Po and Etsch down to the Adriatic coast there are numerous densely planted vineyards that produce a wide variety of wines with the most diverse facets.
The region's most popular wines
If you look around at the wines of the Veneto region, you will find many names, even as a beginner safety has heard before. Above all, it is their multifaceted nature and their well-dosed balance, despite all the variety, that contribute to their popularity.
Pinot grigio:
The Pino grigio (Pinot Gris) is a white grape variety that is characterized by its characteristic golden yellow wines with little acidity. It got its name from the gray veil that covers the dark color of the grapes.
Veneto is one of the world's most important centers of wine production. Most of the wines are exported to the USA and Great Britain.
Prosecco:
Around 150 million liters of this sparkling wine are produced annually from the Glera grapes. The highlights come from the steep slopes of Cartizze, where the vines get a lot of sun.
Soave and Bianco di Custoza:
These fruity-fresh white wines, which are usually pressed from Valpolicella and Bardolino, also have their origins in the extensive vineyards of Veneto between Verona and Lake Garda.
Amarone:
At the upper end of the quality spectrum is the Amarone, which is made from dried grapes. This method gives it its luscious sweetness and its high alcohol content of up to 17 percent.
