Veneto is Italy’s most productive wine region. As warm days are cooled by breezes from Lake Garda in the west and winds from the Alps in the north, the grapes grown here often turn into fresh and enjoyable wines. The region is also influenced by history, thanks to Venice, which has been a major trading port since ancient times.
Pinot Grigio
Everyone knows Pinot Grigio. It is a typical fresh, dry and slightly aromatic white wine that overtook Chardonnay as the world’s most popular white grape at the beginning of the 21st century. Although Pinot Grigio is also produced in Friuli and Alto Adige, Veneto is its spiritual home.
What is the flavor of Pinot Grigio? Pinot Grigio is a light, refreshing wine. The best examples will have expressive fruity flavors of grapefruit, lime, melon and pear.
Prosecco
Prosecco is Italy’s most famous sparkling wine. Its popularity has increased dramatically over the last ten years, especially in the UK, where hundreds of millions of bottles are drunk each year. Made mainly from the Glera grape it can contain up to 15% of varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay. The best Prosecco comes from villages in the DOCG Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
If you want something special, look for Prosecco Col Fondo. This expression is created using natural techniques and local grapes other than Glera. Dry and full of minerals, these wines can be aged – unlike regular Prosecco, which should be drunk young.
What is the flavor of Prosecco? Prosecco is a fresh sparkling wine with light floral notes, clean flavors and frothy bubbles interspersed with notes of peach, pear, honeysuckle and melon.
Amarone della Valpolicella
This powerful red wine is made from leesy grapes – usually a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. Although Amarone della Valpolicella is made from raisins, this technique usually produces a sweet wine, it is dry. It gets its name from its bitter (amaro) but pleasant aftertaste. It is traditionally aged in large oak barrels, although some producers prefer to use smaller barrels for that distinctive oak spice. This wine has serious long term storage ability.
What does Amarone della Valpolicella taste like? This rich wine combines flavors of cherry, chocolate and spice. With age, notes of dried figs and brown sugar begin to develop. It has high acidity, high alcohol content and plenty of velvety tannins.
Ripasso della Valpolicella
If you like Amarone but can’t justify the price, Ripasso della Valpolicella, sometimes called “baby Amarone,” is a more wallet-friendly option. It is made by leaving the Valpolicella wine on the unpressed rind that was previously used in the production of Amarone. The wine is then usually aged in small barriques to add pleasant notes of vanilla and toast.
What does Ripasso della Valpolicella taste like? Ripasso has many of the same flavors as Amarone, but a bit more muted.
