Veneto

Overview  

Lying in the northeast corner of Italy, Veneto stretches from the city of Venice northwards to the Alps and westward to Lake Garda. Veneto is slightly smaller than other famous wine regions, Piedmont and Tuscany, and is famous for producing a diversity of wine styles from the refreshing white wines from Soave, and light-bodied peach-scented sparkling wines from prosecco, to fruity and easy-drinking Valpolicella, and full-bodied intense and complex red wines of Amarone.

There is evidence of wine production in Veneto from the 7^th century BC. Later in Roman times and throughout the Middle Ages, wine was a popular trading good, and many vineyards were developed by the wealthy merchants at their summer residences in the 13^th century AD. The late 13^th century also saw the glassmakers of the Venetian Island of Murano creating the first wine bottles, as we know them today, thus revolutionising the wine world.

Key Sub Regions

When it comes to fine wines, the most important parts of Veneto are Amarone della  Valpolicella – lying just east of Lake Garda and north of Verona, inside the Valpolicella area – and Soave – located immediately east of Valpolicella.

Key Grape Varieties

Corvina and Rondinella are the main grapes behind the majestic red wines of Valpolicella, sometimes accessorized by smaller proportions of Rondinella. Garganega is the main white grape variety behind Soave, and has to make up a minimum 70% of any white wine from Soave Classico.

Food Pairing

The rich and intense red wines of Amarone tends to pair well with rich meat dishes, such as braised beef or veal, but also with game, Wagyu, lamb, and various risotto and pasta dishes. Strong cheeses including parmigiana and gorgonzola also go very well with Amarone.

The refreshing, lemony, and nutty white wines from Soave complements rich seafood dishes well, such as scallop, lobster, crab – especially when served with creamy sauces – but is also a mouth-cleansing accompaniment to pasta or risotto dishes with vegetables such as aubergine, courgette, and green asparagus. Cheeses like ricotta but also various creamy goats’ cheeses are delicious when accompanied by the saline Soave.

Sub Regions

Veneto has many interesting sub regions; at the moment we focus on small handful of the most famous ones. Just click on any of the links below to find our wines in these appellations.

• Soave Classico
• Veneto IGT