Veneto: Wine Diversity Guaranteed

Veneto is truly a wine-growing region of superlatives. With almost 80,000 hectares, it has the third-largest vineyard area in all of Italy, following Sicily and Puglia. At the same time, the Veneto, affectionately known as "Vento," is home to globally renowned wines such as Prosecco, Lugana, and Amarone della Valpolicella. But wines like Soave and Bardolino are also strong sellers on the international wine market. World-famous wine styles coexist here alongside insider favorites. This is exactly what makes Veneto wines so interesting for the trade.

Due to the size of the region, as well as the diverse soils, climatic conditions, and the enormous variety of grape varieties, Veneto produces a wide range of wines. This is what makes it so difficult to capture the full scope of the region and its diversity. But that’s exactly the challenge we’ll tackle here, providing you with a solid overview for your business.

Veneto: Good to Know

Veneto: Geography and Climate

The wine region of Veneto stretches from the foothills of the Alps, through Lake Garda, to Friuli Venezia Giulia and the border with Austria, reaching the Adriatic coast near Venice. In addition to Friuli, it borders South Tyrol, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna. To the north, the Alpine arch and the Dolomites frame the wine-growing area, while to the south, the expansive Po Valley lies. The Adriatic coast limits Veneto to the east, and Lake Garda serves as a prominent landmark to the west. This geographical diversity is the reason for the region’s highly varied climatic influences. In the north, the climate is generally warm and dry, with moderating effects from the mountains. From the Adriatic comes a mild Mediterranean influence, while Lake Garda has a tempering effect, especially beneficial on hot summer days.

Equally diverse are the soils in Veneto. At the foot of the Alps, you'll find mainly Dolomitic rock, while around Lake Garda, morainic soils, sand, and gravel dominate. The northern soils are poor, rocky, and calcareous, while the southern soils are shaped by gravel, alluvial deposits, and clay. The flat and fertile Po Valley is home to the mass production of the region. To better understand all these varying factors, it’s helpful to focus on the different Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs). When it comes to Veneto wines, the best overview is achieved by connecting the details.

Veneto: Overview of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO)

In Veneto, there are ten Protected Geographical Indications (IGP) and a total of 43 Protected Designations of Origin (DOP). The DOPs are further divided into 29 DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and 14 DOCGs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita): 

Veneto: Wine styles

As you might expect, wines from Veneto cannot be generalized or put into neat categories due to the incredible diversity of styles. Nevertheless, we’ll provide an overview of some of the most well-known wines from the region and explain the typical style that defines each one. However, please keep in mind that exceptions are always part of the rule.

White Wines

• Lugana: The quintessential white wine from Lake Garda. Made from the Trebbiano di Lugana grape, this wine is fruity with vibrant acidity, offering seductive aromas of apricot, apple, and citrus fruits. Base-quality wines often carry a note reminiscent of candy, a characteristic thanks to fermentation at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. Note: Not all Lugana wines come from Veneto; only one of the five production zones is located in Veneto, with the rest in Lombardy.
• Soave: Garganega is the star grape here. Soave wines show two distinct faces: those from the mountain slopes tend to have more depth and character, while those from the Po Valley are fruitier, with high acidity and flavors of ripe stone fruits, pears, and red apples.
• Veneto Bianco: While these IGP wines can be made from Chardonnay, Garganega, or Trebbiano, Pinot Grigio is the standout grape. These wines are mostly mass-produced and are excellent for the "Best Buy" category. They are simple, mild, and fruity wines, perfect for everyday drinking.
• Bianco di Custoza: Custoza whites still live in the shadow of Lugana but hold their own in quality. Trebbiano and Garganega are the main white grape varieties used. These wines are delicate and soft with a pleasant, slightly bitter finish.

Red Wines

• Amarone della Valpolicella: The big red wine star from Veneto! Corvina, often with Rondinella as a partner, is the key grape here. What makes Amarone special is the "Appassimento" method, where the grapes are dried before vinification. Amarone has a robust acidity and tannin structure, with intense notes of dark plums, black berries, and nuances of raisins and cherry compote, along with the legendary bitter finish.
• Bardolino: The charmer from Lake Garda – this approachable red wine is best described as light and fruit-forward. Corvina is the main grape, often complemented by Rondinella. The fruity and harmonious wines are ideal for everyday dishes like pizza and pasta and offer excellent value for money.
• Valpolicella: The "little brother" of Amarone. Without the Appassimento process, but still made primarily from Corvina and Rondinella. This wine is lighter, with lively acidity, yet still full of flavors like plum, dark berries, and ripe cherries.

Sparkling Wines

• Prosecco: You simply can't avoid Prosecco in Veneto. Whether made as Frizzante or Spumante, using tank fermentation or traditional bottle fermentation, Prosecco is the sparkling wine of the Veneto region. Its flavors range from easy-drinking floral notes to fresh, fruity, and even nutty or complex profiles. The same applies to pricing and margins – Prosecco can vary widely.

Sweet Wines

• Recioto della Valpolicella: Corvina and Corvinone make up 45-95% of this sweet wine, which also uses the Appassimento method. On the nose, it dazzles with opulent aromas of black cherry jam, dried fruits, and a delicate balsamic note. On the palate, the dense and very precise structure is impressive, with the sweetness perfectly integrated, giving the wine a fresh and lively finish.
• Recioto di Soave: Here too, the grapes are dried before vinification. Garganega and Trebbiano are the dominant white grape varieties. The wine, which ranges from straw yellow to amber, offers aromas of raisins, figs, honey, and malt. Wines from the core area can be labeled as Recioto di Soave Classico. There's also a Spumante version with at least 11.5% ABV.

Veneto: Wines in Detail

Veneto: Wine as an economic factor

No doubt: Veneto is not only a region of contrasts in terms of its winegrowing, but also economically. On one hand, there are the simple mass-produced wines from the plains, and on the other, the more elaborate creations like Amarone della Valpolicella. While the former are essential to the economic foundation of the region, the latter help maintain its prestigious reputation. In between, there are many other wine styles, some of which tell the story of their origin through native grape varieties, while others adapt to the global palate with international varieties.

The wine trade in Veneto, therefore, has a wealth of options – and it takes full advantage of this. Of course, even here, the more affordable wines are facing sales challenges. However, this is counterbalanced by stable bestsellers like Lugana. At the same time, Custoza is poised for an international breakthrough. To name just one of many examples, the 29 DOCs (Denominazioni di Origine Controllata) are currently thriving and offering plenty of opportunities. The wine trade can still find real bargains in the lesser-known growing areas.

Your sales arguments for wines from Veneto

• Enormous range of different wines
• Very well-known wines such as Prosecco, Lugana or Amarone della Valpolicella, which require little explanation
• Very good value for money for the most part
• Every quality level is catered for
• Fantastic food companions