Veneto

Veneto is a wine region in north-eastern Italy, one of a group of three highly productive Italian regions known collectively as the Venezie (after the ancient Venetian Republic) and the biggest DOC producer of the three. Although the Venezie collectively produce more red wine than white, the Veneto region produces more whites under DOC and is home to the famous Soave wines. The region is protected from the harsh northern European climate by the Alps, the foothills of which form the Veneto's northern extremes. These cooler climes are well-suited to white varieties like Garganega (the main grape for Soave wines) while the warmer Adriatic coastal plains and river valleys are where the renowned Valpolicella, Amarone and Bardolino DOC reds are produced. Veneto's growers are among the most modernised in Italy. While most of the 'classic' wines from this area are based on native grape varieties like Prosecco and Verduzzo, high demand for Veneto wines in the European and US markets has galavanized the region's producers into experimantation with Cabernets, Chardonnay and Pinot varieties, among others.