Veneto

DOC for various red and white wines in the plains of the river Po in the Veneto wine-growing region in Italy. The wine from this region was already highly praised in the 14th century by the leading Italian lyric poet of the time, Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), who moved to this area in his old age in order to grow wine. The total vineyard area is 1.300 hectares, the zone is located in the province of Vicenza, it includes hilli slopes of the Colli Euganei hills from which it takes its name, with the Monte Venda (603 metres high), the soils are mostly volcanic, and extremely rich in limestone. The zone stretches to the south-west of Padua, and includes 17 communes. A total of 13 different wine styles is produced, the varietal-labelled wines must consist of a minimum of 90% of the stated variety, the balance of no more than 10% may be made up of other DOC varieties of the same colour. All of the wines are mainly made in dry versions, although some are also made in off-dry (amabile) or sweet (dolce) styles, and some are also made as Spumante. The Bianco is a blend of equal parts of Garganega, Serprina and Tocai Friulano, with small amounts of Pinot Bianco, Riesling Italico, Pinello and Chardonnay. The Rosso is a blend of about two thirds Merlot, to which is added Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera and Raboso Veronese. The Nocello is made in the style of a Beaujolais Nouveau, and contains Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Raboso Veronese. In addition, the region produces varietal Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Moscato (Moscato Bianco), Pinello, Pinot Bianco, Serprina (Serprina = Prosecco) and Tocai Italico. A speciality of the area is the yellow-straw Spumante "Fior d´Arancio" (also a DOC) from the area of the same name, this is made as a sweet wine or as a Passito from Moscato Bianco and Moscato Giallo.