| The Northeast is comprised of Trentino Alto-Adige, the Veneto and Fruili - Venezia Guilia. It has influences from Austria and Slovenia, but holds its own. In particular Venezie sets the nation's pace, producing 15% of Italian wine and accounting for more than 35% of the DOC wines produced. The northeast also leads in exports of premium wines. Although this region should dominate in white wine production, it is the red that dominates.
History
The Veneti were the first peoples to make wine in this region. The Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans all had a hand in the the wine industry. The Romans branched out of the hot south and went to Pratutium on the Adriatic to extend their oenological knowledge. it wasn't unil relatively recently (17th century) that wine making became pupular to that extent again. Then in the late 1800's Phylloxera devistated most of the region's vines, and re-planting began. This is when new varieties were planted, the first being Merlot, with many others to follow.
Climate and Viticulture
Over half of the land in this region is mountainous, with the Adriatic sea to the south. Summers are hot and winters cold and harsh, with unpredictable weather from year to year. The northeast grows over 40 varieties of grapes, the most popular being Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Prosecco, Trebbiano and Corvine (which comprises 80% of the well known Valpolicella). These grapes make up the bulk of this region's wines: Amarone, Bardolino, Fruili, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Soave, Valpolicella and Valpolicella Ripasso.
Future
Keep your eye on Valpolicellas. Although they have been described as "industrial" in the past, with new methods used, these wines will be showing more of the juicy cherry - fruit flavors characteristic of a well vinted Valpolicella. Expect Soave and Bardolino to improve as yields are restricted, and experimentation with blending improves the flavor and structure of these wines. Gradually, more producers in this region are being convinced that selection and care on a limited scale pays off in quality and thus prestige. Even in the regions with the highest quality wines, there is room for improvement.
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Cavit- Featured Winery
Cavit is a consortium formed years ago to promote and sell Trentino wines. This wine giant's commercial success has permitted its members, almost 6000 in all, a certain satisfaction - good prices for their grapes, a guarenteed return and ever improving quality. Their Pinot Grigio and Merlot are quite accessible and inexpensive.
Boscaini- Featured Winery
Boscaini produces one of the best Ripassos offered from Verona. A ripasso is a wine that is between a Valopocella and an Amarone in style. Valopcellas are fresh fruity wines made primarily from Corvina grapes, they are meant to be drunk young when they are light and fruity. For Amarones the Corvina grapes are dried on straw mats in the sun for a couple of weeks and the grapes are then crushed. The result is wines that are rich and complex. A ripasso blends the juice of the Valepocella with the Amarone lees, giving the wine the best of both styles. For one of the best values in Ripasso, try Boscaini’s Santo Stefano Ripasso. | Producer | Varietal | Vintage | Price | Buy Now | | Boscaini | Italian Red | 1995 | 14.99 | Details |
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