Veneto

DOC for white wine in the west of the wine-growing region of Veneto in Italy. The zone includes the communes of Cazzano di Tramigna, Colognola ai Colli, Illasi, Lavagno, Mezzane di Sotto, Montecchia di Corsara, Monteforte d`Alpone, Ronca, San Bonifacio, San Giovanni Ilarione, San Martino Buon Albergo as well as Soave, from which the name is taken, in the province of Verona. To the east of Soave lies the DOC Gambellara, which produces a similar wine. The name Soave is reputed to go back to the (German) Swabian tribe, which settled here in medieval times. However, the name also means gentle or caressing, and is often used to describe the character of the most important wine, in volume terms, of Veneto. Special mention should be made of the estate of Roberto Anselmi (45 ha) in Monteforte d´Alpone, where decisive improvements in quality were first introduced (e.g. higher density of vines, larger proportion of Garganega). The estate has become the leading producer in the Soave region. The region has a total vineyard area of around 6.500 hectares, and is located on alluvial soils in the plains along the Adige river, to the east of Verona. The Classico region has a total vineyard area of 1.500 hectares, located on often steep south or south-west-facing slopes located between the towns of Soave and Monteforte d´Alpone at an altitude of 100 to 350 metres above sea level. Wines from this section may bear the additional designation “Classico” on the label. The following are considered to be the best vineyard sites: Castelcerino, Colombara, Costalta, Costeggiola, La Fitta, Monte Carbonare, Monte Castellaro, Monte Cercene, Monte Foscarino, Monte Frosca, Monte Grande, Monte Rocchetta and Zoppega. These may also be stated on the label, e.g. in the form „Capitel Foscarino“. The dry wine is made from Garganega (minimum of 70%), blended with any combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Trebbiano di Soave (up to 30%), as well as optionally from other permitted local varieties (up to 5%). Spumante is produced in the following versions: Brut, Dry, Extra Brut and Extra Dry.
Soave Superiore and Soave Classico Superiore were classified as DOCG in 2001. The minimum alcohol content is 12%, and 12,5% vol for Riserva. The wines must be matured for a minimum of 6 months, Riservas for a minimum of 24 months before being sold. The sweet Recioto di Soave was classified as DOCG (also for a spumante) in 1998.