MY OWN PRIVATE VENETO: K2’S ITALIAN WINE PRIMER, PART 1

One of my favorite wine regions has been, and will always be, Italy.  The diversity of it is truly remarkable; there is something from everyone.  From the glorious Nebbiolo grape that is the heart and soul of Barolo, the wine of kings, to the grace of the Sangiovese grape and all its clonal brethren in Tuscany, to Aglianico of Campania and Nerello from Sicily, and all the spectacular wines in between (the sparkling beauties of Franciacorta, the wondrous acidity of Alto Adige’s white wines, I could go on and on and on).

Each week, I plan to bring you dear reader, a little tutorial in Italian wines (for those who already know a little somethin’, perhaps this will be a refresher).  Short-and-sweet, not too in-depth, with a wine suggestion or two to give it some substance (and maybe show the folks at work I am not just messing about).

This edition of K2’s Italian Wine Primer we talk a little about Veneto, located in the northeastern portion of Italy, one of three “states” that comprise the Tre Venezie (along with Friuli-Venezia-Giulia and Alto Adige-Trentino).  While this region producers more red wine than white, it producers more white wine under the DOC label, and boasts such wines as Soave and Prosecco.

The most prevalent grape varieties are Garganega (pronounced gar-GAH-neh-geh) and Trebbiano di Soave (white grapes used in the wines of Soave), Glera (the grape used for Prosecco), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Reboso Piave, Refosco, Verduzzo, Marzemino, Osoleta, and of course Rondinella, Corvina Veronese and Molinara (the components for the wines of Valpolicella and Amarone).

The region itself sits in the shadows of the Alps, and is much cooler than most of its more southernly neighbors.  Grapes such as Garnanega and Glera fair quite well here.  You’ll even find some Pinot Noir coming from this part of Italy.

A couple of my favorites from the region:

Inama Soave Classico DOC 2014.  A terrific white wine that gives you light white peach skin, mineral and almond notes throughout its pretty, slightly-floral personae.

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 2011.  You could call this a “Super-Venetian” red blend of Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.  This proprietary red has always been a go-to wine for me, something to get those diehard California wine fans out of their comfort zones.

Villalta Amarone della Valpolicella Classico “I Comunali” DOCG 2012.  What you have here is a remarkable red wine, primarily Corvina and Rondinella, with 5% Molinara and 5% other varieties.  Big, bold, gripping and layered, this is a terrific wine representative of the region.

Nino Franco “Rustico” Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG NV.  The one I always go to when recommending Prosecco; a superb wine, 100% Glera, that shows folks what Prosecco can be.
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Next time, I will talk a little about Alto-Adige, and make mention of two of my all-time favorite producers, Cantina Terlano and Abbazia di Novacella.