- Wine Tour Destinations
The Veneto region is one of Italy’s most diverse and historic wine-producing areas, known for its wide range of appellations, landscapes and grape varieties. Stretching from the shores of Lake Garda to the Venetian plains and the foothills of the Alps, Veneto produces everything from elegant white wines and refreshing sparkling wines to rich, complex reds.
There is evidence that vitis vinifera (the common grape vine) was present in the Veneto region, 50 million years ago during the Paleogene period. It is likely that grape was part of the human diet from the Bronze Age, however wine only appeared later, around the 8th Century BC.
During Roman times, wines of Verona gained popularity and trade flourished, while monasteries helped preserve winemaking traditions throughout the Middle Ages. Although the region faced challenges including disease, natural disasters, and war, recent investment in quality, regulations and sustainable practices has helped Veneto’s winemakers restore the reputation of the region’s wines.
The region’s diverse landscape plays an important role in shaping veronese wines. Most vineyards are located across the alluvial plains of southern Veneto, with soils varying from limestone and marl to clay, sand, tufa, silt and volcanic materials such as tuff and basalt. Around Verona, the mild climate, influenced by both continental and Mediterranean conditions, provides ideal growing conditions for a wide range of grape varieties.
Many vineyards surrounding Verona continue to use the traditional Pergola training system, where grape vines are grown along elevated structures that help protect the fruit from intense sunlight while supporting healthy ripening.
Valpolicella is perhaps the most famous wine appellation around Verona and is home to some of Italy’s most prestigious red wines.
Valpolicella wines are primarily made from the Corvina grape, which is blended with varieties such as Rondinella, Corvinone and other permitted local grapes. These wines range from light and vibrant cherry-red styles to richer, deeper expressions with greater ageing potential. The Valpolicella DOC (denominazione di origine controllata – controlled designation of origin) status was introduced in 1968.
Amarone is one of Veneto’s most celebrated wines and is produced using the traditional appassimento method, where grapes are partially dried after harvest to concentrate their flavours.
The result is a rich, full-bodied wine with intense aromas of black cherry, dried fruit, dark chocolate, spice and tobacco. Known for its depth and complexity, Amarone has excellent ageing potential and is considered one of Italy’s great red wines.
Valpolicella Ripasso is created by passing young Valpolicella wine over the skins and lees left from Amarone or Recioto production. This second fermentation adds richness, structure and complexity, resulting in a fuller-bodied wine while maintaining the freshness of Valpolicella.
Recioto della Valpolicella is a traditional sweet wine made from dried grapes. Rich and smooth, this dessert wine offers flavours of ripe fruit, chocolate and spice, with a deep colour and velvety texture.
The Bardolino area is located around the town of Bardolino on the southeastern shores of Lake Garda.
The wines produced in the area are typically light-bodied reds made primarily from Corvina and Rondinella grapes, with small amounts of Molinara also permitted in the blend.
The DOC status was awarded in 1968. The stronger, aged Bardolino Superiore was promoted to DOCG (denominazione di origine controllata e garantita – controlled and guaranteed designation of origin) in 2001.
The region also produces Bardolino Chiaretto, a small quantity of rosé wine available in both still and frizzante styles, as well as Bardolino Novello, an Italian interpretation of Beaujolais Nouveau.
Bardolino wines tend to have aromas and flavours of red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, with notes of spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper. Bardolino wines are highly versatile and we pair them with virtually all types of dishes.
Bianco di Custoza are the white DOC wines of the Bardolino area. The white wines are made from mainly Trebbiano, Garganega, and Tocai Friulano grapes. A handful of other grape varieties can also be included as minor components in the blend such as Bianca Fernanda (a local clone of Cortese), Malvasia Bianca, Riesling Italico, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, or Manzoni Bianco.
Bianco di Custoza wines tend to be aromatic, fruity, and floral, with a smooth aftertaste. On the nose, the most typical scents are grapefruit, lemon, melon, pear, pineapple, and banana. The typical floral scent is expressed by notes of acacia, orange blossom, and elderflower.
The area also produces some of our favourite Italian sparkling wines – Custoza Spumante – as well as a sweet white wine – Custoza Passito.
Soave is one of Italy’s most famous white wine regions, located east of Verona. Made predominantly from the Garganega grape, Soave wines are known for their freshness, elegance and ability to age gracefully.
The Soave region has both a DOC area, created in 1968, and a DOCG area also known as Soave Superiore, created in 2001. Most of the Soave area is made of small parcels of land, as the majority of wine growers own less than a hectare of vines. Most grapes are sold to cooperatives and only a handful of growers bottle their own wine.
Young Soave wines typically display flavours of peach, pear, citrus, and floral notes, with a crisp acidity and mineral character. With age, these wines can develop richer flavours of honey, preserved lemon, and almond.
Alongside classic dry white wines, the region also produces sparkling Soave and Recioto di Soave, a naturally sweet wine made from dried grapes.
Beyond Verona, Veneto is home to several other important wine areas, each producing distinctive styles.
Located between Soave and Colli Berici, Gambellara is known for white wines made primarily from Garganega grapes. These wines are fresh and crisp, with bright acidity and floral aromas.
The region also produces Recioto di Gambellara, a sweet wine made from dried grapes, as well as traditional dessert wines.
West of Soave and Gambellara, we find the Colli Berici DOC, which produces a wide range of wine styles including red, white and rosé as well as a sparkling, Colli Berici Spumante. Most wines are made from blends of different grape varieties such as Pinot Nero, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere and Tai Rosso for the reds and Chardonnay, Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Tocai Friulano and Manzoni Bianco for the whites.
Bordering Colli Berici to the southeast, Colli Euganei DOC produces soft, full-bodied, dry, or semi-sweet red wine blends made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Raboso.
There are also dry or semi-sweet white wine blends made from Glera, Garganega, Fior d’Arancio, Moscato Bianco, Tocai Friulano, Manzoni Bianco, Pinot Bianco, or Chardonnay.
Further away from Verona, north east of Vicenza, the Breganze DOC red and white wines are produced. Breganze produces fresh white wines, structured reds and sweet wines made from the local Vespaiolo grape, including Breganze Torcolato.
The area also produces dessert wines made from Vespaiolo grapes called Breganze Torcolato.
Produced in the Lessini Mountains north of Verona, Lessini Durello is known for sparkling wines made from the Durella grape. These wines are valued for their acidity, minerality and elegant character.
The area also produces Monti Lessini Durello Passito dessert wine, made with semi-dried Durella grapes.
The area was awarded the DOC classification in 2011.
If you can’t find your ideal Verona wine tour on our web site, please contact our team of experts on +44 (0) 1920 56 02 75 or at info@grapeescapes.net and we will be happy to help create your perfect holiday.
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