VINOS TINTOS DEL VÉNETO

Between drying and freshness: the Venetian art of red wine

Our selection of Venetian red wines represents a fascinating journey through one of Italy's most important and diverse wine-producing regions, where ancient techniques such as drying coexist with modern approaches in a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Veneto, with its extraordinary variety of landscapes ranging from pre-Alpine hills to plains, from volcanic soils to morainic deposits, expresses an unrivalled range of winemaking styles: from the powerful and structured wines of Valpolicella to the elegant and fresh reds of Lake Garda, from territorial interpretations of international grape varieties to almost forgotten indigenous treasures. The region's long history of wine production, which has its roots in Roman times and reached its peak with the Republic of Venice, has created a wealth of knowledge and techniques that is now being valued with renewed awareness. Our collection celebrates both the big names that have made the history of Venetian winemaking and the small artisan producers who keep centuries-old traditions alive, offering a complete overview of the different souls of Veneto wine: from the opulent concentration of Amarone to the immediate freshness of Bardolino, from the complexity of Ripasso to the elegance of Colli Berici. Each bottle tells the story not only of a grape variety or a territory, but also of a wine culture that has evolved while respecting its own identity, combining traditional methods and technical innovations with a single goal: to best express the essence of its terroir.

Valpolicella: from Classico to Amarone, the triumph of native grapes

The beating heart of our selection is represented by the wines of Valpolicella, a hilly area north of Verona where native grape varieties such as Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara find their maximum expression. Valpolicella Classico, with its freshness and notes of crisp cherry and almond, represents the most immediate and everyday version of this territory, a wine of extraordinary drinkability and versatility at the table. Ripasso, obtained through a second fermentation on Amarone pomace, offers a fascinating stylistic bridge between the freshness of Valpolicella and the concentration of Amarone, with a profile that combines juicy fruit, spices and a more important structure. But it is undoubtedly Amarone, obtained by drying the grapes for 3-4 months and then fermenting them completely to transform all the sugars into alcohol, that represents the pinnacle of quality in the appellation: a wine of extraordinary complexity and power, with a bouquet ranging from notes of ripe and dried fruit (cherries in alcohol, plums, figs) to sweet spices, chocolate and tobacco, with an imposing structure balanced by an elegant freshness. Our collection explores the diversity of the different sub-zones of Valpolicella, from the more traditional versions to the more modern interpretations, with particular attention to the Reserves and single vineyard selections that represent the pinnacle of quality in the appellation. There is no shortage of rare bottles of Recioto della Valpolicella, a sweet version obtained by interrupting the fermentation of Amarone to preserve part of the sugars, a wine of extraordinary history and complexity that represents the very origin of Amarone, born according to tradition from a “escaped” fermentation of Recioto.

The elegance of the Berici and Euganean Hills: Carmenère and more

Alongside the celebrated wines of Valpolicella, our collection showcases the oenological treasures of other renowned areas of Veneto, in particular the Berici and Euganean Hills, where volcanic soils create ideal conditions for wines of great personality. The Berici Hills, in particular, are unique in Italy thanks to the historical presence of Carmenère, a grape variety of Bordeaux origin long confused with Cabernet Franc and now rediscovered and valued in its pure form. This rare grape variety finds expressions of extraordinary elegance here, with an aromatic profile that combines black fruits, herbaceous notes of pepper, spices and graphite, supported by an important but never excessive structure and refined tannins. Our selection includes the best interpretations of this grape variety, from the most immediate versions to the Reserves of great complexity and ageing potential. The Euganean Hills, with their characteristic volcanic soils, offer highly interesting territorial interpretations of both international grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet, and indigenous varieties such as Raboso. These wines are distinguished by a marked minerality and vibrant freshness that reflects the influence of the volcanic soils, with a refined tannic profile and excellent ageing potential.

Bardolino and light Valpolicella: the other soul of Veneto red

To complete the picture of Veneto's winemaking, our collection explores what we might call “the other soul” of Veneto red: wines of extraordinary elegance and drinkability that find their maximum expression in the Bardolino areas and in the fresher versions of Valpolicella. Bardolino, produced on the morainic hills of the eastern shore of Lake Garda with the same grape varieties as Valpolicella but in a completely different terroir, offers wines with a more subtle colour, a light but not trivial structure, and an aromatic profile dominated by notes of small red fruits, flowers and delicate spices, with a freshness and savouriness that make them perfect wines for any meal. The Chiaretto (rosé) versions are one of the most interesting and qualitatively growing expressions of the appellation. Even in Valpolicella itself, some producers are rediscovering a more agile and elegant style, returning to less extractive vinification and more discreet ageing in wood, creating wines that focus on aromatic finesse and drinkability rather than concentration. These wines, often identified as “traditional style Valpolicella” or “Burgundy-style”, represent an interesting return to the appellation's origins and a fascinating alternative to the more powerful and concentrated style that has dominated in recent decades.

Rediscovered tradition: Raboso, Tai Rosso and forgotten native varieties

The Veneto region's rich wine heritage extends far beyond the celebrated wines of Valpolicella, and our collection passionately explores the diverse world of other native grape varieties that represent a unique heritage of biodiversity. Raboso Piave, an ancient grape variety from the Piave area, once known as “vin da viajo” (wine for travelling) due to its ability to withstand long journeys without deteriorating thanks to its high acidity and tannicity, is now vinified using more refined techniques that tame its original rusticity, enhancing its notes of wild berries, black cherry and spices. Tai Rosso (genetically identical to Grenache), grown mainly in the Berici Hills, offers medium-bodied wines with a characteristic aromatic profile of strawberry, raspberry and sweet spices. Our selection also highlights lesser-known but highly interesting varieties such as Marzemino, made famous by Mozart in Don Giovanni and cultivated in the Treviso area; Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, found mainly in the eastern part of Veneto on the border with Friuli; and rarities such as Corbinona, Turchetta and Recantina, vines that had almost disappeared but are now being revived by a few enlightened producers. There is no shortage of interesting Venetian interpretations of international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which in this region, especially in the hilly areas, find expressions of great territorial personality.

From historic DOCs to new frontiers

Venetian viticulture, despite being deeply rooted in tradition, is currently experiencing a period of great dynamism and innovation, which our collection recounts in all its nuances. From historic appellations such as Valpolicella, Bardolino and Piave to more recent DOCs that promote specific territories such as Colli Berici, Colli Euganei and Montello. Our selection also explores the new frontiers of Veneto winemaking, such as wines produced using organic and biodynamic farming methods, a rapidly growing movement that is contributing significantly to raising the quality of regional production. Particular attention is also paid to projects aimed at reviving ancient native grape varieties and old vineyards, as well as experiments with traditional winemaking techniques revisited in a modern key, such as partial or short drying for wines that are more immediately drinkable, or the use of amphorae and cement for vinification and ageing that enhance the purity of the fruit and the expression of the territory. Each bottle in our collection represents not only a territorial or varietal expression, but also a different philosophical approach to viticulture, from the most rigorous respect for tradition to the most courageous innovation.

Veneto red wines are now one of the richest and most varied expressions of the Italian wine scene, with a range that spans from great meditation wines such as Amarone, capable of evolving over twenty years, to wines of extraordinary drinkability such as Bardolino and Valpolicella Classico, passing through expressions of medium structure and great elegance such as Ripasso and the reds of the Colli Berici. This stylistic diversity, combined with the wealth of native grape varieties and the variety of terroirs, makes Veneto one of the most interesting wine regions to explore, capable of satisfying every palate and every occasion. Our collection, curated with passion and expertise, offers a complete overview of this extraordinary wealth, allowing enthusiasts to discover both the great classics and the hidden gems of a region that represents a fundamental pillar of Italian oenology.