Veneto

Veneto

The Veneto region, stretching from the Dolomite Mountains to the Adriatic Sea, is one of Italy's largest and most diverse wine-producing areas. It is the powerhouse behind Prosecco, the world's most popular sparkling wine, but it also produces the rich, powerful red Amarone della Valpolicella and the crisp, refreshing white Soave. With its unique grapes and winemaking techniques, Veneto offers a style of wine for every palate and occasion.

Food Pairings with Veneto Wines

Prosecco: The perfect aperitif; also great with cured meats (prosciutto), light appetizers, and shellfish.
Amarone: A wine for contemplation or for pairing with rich, savory dishes like braised short ribs, aged cheeses (especially Parmesan), or game.
Valpolicella Classico: Pair with pizza, pasta dishes, or roasted chicken.
Soave: Excellent with risotto, grilled white fish, vegetable dishes, or seafood pasta.

Geography & Climate

Veneto’s geography is incredibly varied. The foothills of the Alps in the north provide cool climates ideal for sparkling and white wine grapes. The area around Lake Garda has a mild, Mediterranean-like microclimate. The plains near the Adriatic coast are warmer and more fertile. This diversity allows the region to produce a vast array of wine styles. The hilly zones of Valpolicella, Soave, and Conegliano-Valdobbiadene are considered the best terroirs for quality wine production.

History of Veneto

Veneto’s winemaking is ancient, but its global influence grew with the Republic of Venice, which traded local wines across the Mediterranean. For centuries, the region was known for producing vast quantities of everyday wine. The 20th century saw the rise of its three most famous wines: Soave became one of Italy’s most popular white wine exports in the mid-century; Prosecco’s popularity exploded globally in the 2000s with improvements in quality; and Amarone, a wine made from dried grapes, evolved from a happy accident into a modern luxury icon.

Subregions and Appellations

The premier, hilly zone for Prosecco production, known for its steep slopes and high-quality sparkling wines. The sub-zone of Cartizze is considered the "grand cru" of Prosecco.

The zone near Verona for red wines. The Valpolicella Classico area is the historic heartland.

The specific designation for the powerful, dried-grape red wine.

The appellation for Garganega-based white wines. The Soave Classico zone, with its volcanic soils, produces the most complex and age-worthy wines.

A region shared with Lombardy on the southern shore of Lake Garda, known for crisp white wines from the Turbiana grape.

Signature Wine Styles

Red

The Valpolicella region produces a range of red wines from Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. Valpolicella Classico is a light, fruity red. Amarone della Valpolicella is the region's most powerful red, made using the appassimento process where grapes are dried for months to concentrate their flavors, resulting in a rich, full-bodied wine with notes of dried cherry, fig, and chocolate. Ripasso wines are made by re-fermenting Valpolicella wine on the skins of Amarone, adding richness and complexity.

White

Soave, made from the Garganega grape, is a dry, crisp white wine with notes of melon, pear, and a characteristic bitter almond finish. The best examples come from the Soave Classico zone and can be surprisingly age-worthy. Pinot Grigio delle Venezie is another major product, typically light and refreshing.

Sparkling Wines

Prosecco is the star, a light, aromatic sparkling wine made primarily from the Glera grape. It is made using the Charmat (tank) method, which preserves its fresh notes of green apple, melon, and pear. The highest quality versions come from the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG hills.

Notable Producers

Quintarelli Giuseppe

The legendary, traditionalist producer of Amarone, considered one of the greatest winemakers in Italy.

Dal Forno Romano

A modernist producer of incredibly intense, powerful, and sought-after Amarone and Valpolicella Superiore.

Masi

A large, influential producer that helped popularize Amarone and the Ripasso method on the world stage.

Nino Franco

A historic and highly respected producer of Prosecco Superiore from Valdobbiadene.

Pieropan

A benchmark producer of Soave Classico, demonstrating the age-worthiness and complexity of the Garganega grape.

Fun Facts about Veneto

Veneto produces more wine by volume than any other region in Italy.
The appassimento process used for Amarone dates back to the ancient Romans.
The steep hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene are so difficult to work that they are known as "heroic viticulture."
Venice's famous Spritz cocktail is traditionally made with Prosecco.

Quick Facts

Key Grape Varieties

Red Varieties

White Varieties