Veneto

DOC (also known in brief by the names of the two towns as Conegliano or Valdobbiadene) for still and sparkling white wines in the Veneto wine-growing region in Italy. The zone is divided into two sub-zones by the Soligo river, each of which is known by the name of the major town, and includes the communes of Cison di Valmarino, Colle Umberto, Conegliano, Farra di Soligo, Follina, Miane Pieve di Soligo, Refrontolo, San Pietro di Feletto, San Vendemiano, Susegana, Tarzo, Valdobbiadene, Vidor and Vittorio Veneto in the province of Treviso. Both town names may be stated on the label – but this is seldom the case, local pride dictates that usually only one commune is named. Many different types of white wines are produced from the white variety Prosecco (minimum of 85%), as well as from any or all of the varieties Bianchetta, Perera, Prosecco Lungo and Verdiso (up to 15%). The still wine is produced in dry (secco), off-dry (amabile) and sweet (dolce) versions, the Frizzante is available in Secco and Amabile versions, and the Spumante is produced in Brut, Dry and Extra-Dry styles. The founder of the modern style of Prosecco in a sparkling version is considered to be Antonio Carpené, who introduced the metodo classico (fermented in bottle) in the 19th century; however, the wine is today usually made by the Charmat method (fermentation in tank). He founded the „Carpené Malvolti“ wine estate, and encouraged the foundation of the viticultural research institute in Conegliano. Other grape varieties are used for the sparkling wines of the sub-zone Cartizze in the San Pietro di Barbozza area in the commune of Valdobbiadene. These wines may display the additional designation Superiore di Cartizze on the bottle label. The Frizzante is made from Nuragus (minimum of 85%), as well as from other permitted white varieties (up to 15%). The Spumante is made from Barbera (minimum of 85%), as well as optionally from Croatina, Pinot Nero, Ughetta and Uva Rara. The sparkling wines from this DOC region are the second most widely produced sparkling wines in Italy, after those of Asti Spumante. Annual production is around 30 million bottles.