VenetoPopulation: 4.469.156
Surface (Kmq): 18364
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 243
Main city: Venezia (VE)
Other towns: Belluno (BL); Padova (PD); Rovigo (RO); Treviso (TV); Verona (VR); Vicenza (VI).
A unique region with an ancient charm where history, nature and centuries of tradition, art and religion are bound together. Miles of low coastline with sandy beaches contrast with majestic and imposing mountains, such as the extraordinary Dolomites with their sharp and distinctive peaks. The lower mountain ranges and the foothills of the region are flanked by green rolling hills covered in vines and by sub-soil rich in mineral waters and thermal springs, forming one of the most important spa areas in Italy. Veneto is also for art lovers. Venice, the city on the sea, one of the world’s greatest cultural cities, famous and unique for its elegance and charm. Padua, the city of Giotto and Mantegna. Vicenza, the Palladian city. Verona, immortalised by Shakespeare. And Lake Garda, lacus Benacus of the ancient Romans, provides bright colourful Mediterranean scenery dotted with olive groves.
Veneto is among the foremost wine-producing regions, both for quality and quantity. The region counts over 20 DOC zones and a variety of sub-categories, many of its wines, both dry and Spumanti, are internationally known and appreciated.
The three most well known DOCs are Bardolino, from the town with the same name and surrounding the shores of Garda Lake, Valpolicella, and Soave. Other noteworthy wines produced here are the white Bianco di Custoza, the excellent sparkling Prosecco, the Breganze, and the Amarone (a rich and powerful red from the Verona province). If you travel to the Treviso area, look for the little-known Clinton, a wine that is banned from distribution because it does not conform to the DOC standards, but is produced in limited quantities for local consumption.
The importance of winemaking in this region is underscored by the creation in 1885 of the very first Italian school for vine growing and oenology. In addition, Veneto was the first region to constitute the first strada del vino or "wine road". This first wine-touring road featured special road signs providing information on vines and the wines they were made into and joined the Valdobbiadene and Conegliano DOC zones crossing a series of hilly vineyards.
The most appreciated wines in the region come from the provinces of Treviso, Verona, Padova, Venice, and Vicenza. The area around Verona, with its temperate climate and hilly surrounding, is believed to have cultivated grapes since the Bronze Age.
The DOC wines from Veneto are:
Arcole
Bagnoli
Bardolino
Bianco di Custoza
Breganze
Colli Berici
Colli di Conegliano
Colli Euganei
Conegliano Valdobbiadene
Corti Benedettine del Padovano
Gambellara
Garda
Lison-Pramaggiore
Lugana
Merlara
Montello e Colli Asolani
Monti Lessini o Lessini
Riviera del Brenta
San Martino della Battaglia
Soave
Valdadige
Valpolicella e Recioto
Vicenza
Vini del Piave o Piave
The DOCG wines from Veneto are:
Bardolino Superiore
Recioto di Soave
Soave Superiore