This area is famous mainly for its white wines, which range in style from light and mountain-fresh up in the high Trentino-Alto Adige, to riper and fuller further south and east in the Veneto and Friuli.
Regions
- Trentino-Alto Adige: makes the lightest, freshest wines in this area.
- Friuli: produces the most intense wines, but can be expensive for the quality.
- Veneto: produces the most famous wines of Valpolicella, Bardolino and Soave.
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Location
The Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia are located around Venice. Further
inland, Trentino-Alto Adige extends south into Italy from the Austrian
Alps.
Grapes
- Red: Corvina, Merlot, Pinot Noir and
Cabernet Sauvignon
- White: Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc, Garganega and Trebbiano
Look Out For
- Classico: the central heartland,
and therefore the best part, of a region.
- Recioto: sweet Soave
or Valpolicella made from semi-dried grapes.
- Amarone: Recioto,
but fermented out to dryness.
- Ripasso: ordinary wine passed
over the lees of Amarone to add a bitter flavour.
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Quality in this area has often been compromised by overproduction, but many producers still make the kind of wine that earned these regions their fame in the first place. One of the main things to look for is the term 'Classico' on the label. These wines come from the best quality hillside vineyards and are usually far superior to those made from grapes grown on the valley floor.
Most of the wines are produced from single grape varieties, and named by the grape - with the major exception of Soave. Garganega and Trebbiano grapes are used, resulting in a typically Italian bone-dry, neutral white. It is usually light, uncomplicated and enjoyable.
The red wines, such as Valpolicella and Bardolino, are also fairly light, but can have an attractive bitter-cherry twist. You may also find a Valpolicella labelled Recioto, which is made from semi-dried grapes to give a wonderfully sweet and rich wine. Amarone is like Recioto della Valpolicella, but dry: it's a fascinating, bitter-sour, heavyweight red.
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