Veneto Region Blog

Located in Northern Italy, Veneto is significantly smaller than the other major wine regions in Italy. (Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Sicily and Puglia.) However, Veneto still produces more wine than any of these larger regions. It has been known as "the Italian Bordeaux" (Bottlenotes).  The climate in this region is that of a typical Mediteranean climate, with hot summers and generally cool winters. The temperature change is mild, as the region is very close to the Adriatic Sea and therefore has a relatively consistent climate. This climate has been recognized as an excellent environment for grape growing, and many attribute the success of the region to its climate and soil types. The terroir in this region is known to have "silty sandy soils… with influences of clay and calcareous debris" (Bottlenotes).

Historically speaking, the capital of Veneto, Venice, provided an excellent trade site for wines made in the area. It was a profitable exportation location an industry. The region has always stressed the importance and significance of wine making, creating the first Italian "school for vine growing and oenology" in 1885 (WineCountry.It). "The most appreciated wines in the region come from the provinces of Treviso, Verona, Padova, Venice, and Vicenza." (WineCountry.It).

The governing wine body of Italy says that there twenty different wine-making districts in Veneto. "Each district is known for its own unique take on the winemaking process, meaning that literally hundreds, per­haps even thousands of different wines originate in Veneto" (Veneto: Ancient Doorway to the Orient). Twenty-five percent of these wines are regulated under DOCG and DOC labels. These labels regulate Italian wines. DOCG is the "highest classification for Italian wines, introduced in 1963" (Italian Wine Label Information). This label implies "controlled production methods and guaranteed wine quality" (Italian Wine Label Information). This label is extremely competitive to receive and is highly regulated. Many different components of the wine making process are evaluated and the wine is subject to taste tests. DOC is a classification that is just one place behind DOCG. Most Italian wines hold this label, and it is still a very prestigious label to have.

            The Veneto region produces both reds and whites, both blended wines and individual varietals. The most produced wine in this region is the Valpolicella Blend. This is a red wine blend that is made of three kind of grapes; Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. The wines are made up of mostly the Corvina grape, with the others added to add color (Valpolicella Blend Wine). At around 30% of overall wine production in the region, Valpolicella is definitely the majority varietal created.

            The next two largest produced wines in the region are produced at an almost equal rate. Glera and Pinot Grigio together make up for about 40% of the wine produced in the region (Veneto Wine). Glera was formally known as Prosecco, but when the region was given DOCG status, Prosecco was deemed a geographical location and the name of the grape was changed to Glera. This is a white wine that is usually sparkling. It is a very famous area in Veneto and the Prosecco wines are very popular internationally. The color of the wine comes from the green skin on the grapes. This wine is beneficial to the region because it ripens late in the season, while other areas might not be able to still be producing. Pinot Grigio is obviously made from Pinot Gris grape variety. Other wines produced in this region include Garganega, Corvina, Soave Blends and Merlots (Veneto Wine).

         

   Wine was being produced in this region even before the Roman Empire came to the area and ruled. During these ancient times, winemaking was not yet a way of life and major source of financial prosperity, but a hobby (Veneto Wine Region History and Culture).

The Romans came into the area with newly developed technology and a passion for wine. That paired with the settlement and creation of Venice, and the region was set up to become a winery hot spot. Barbarians invaded after the fall of the Roman Empire, but for those who made it through that, saw the region become a cultural and economic center in the region. The ports of Venice made trade all too easy and art and cultures clashed and mixed in this area of Northern Italy. As was stated before, Veneto made history by setting up the first wine making school in the late nineteenth century. Not only that, but this region also hosted the world's "first-ever wine tourism road" (Veneto Wine Region History and Culture).  

Citations

"Glera (Prosecco) Wine Grape Variety Information." Wine-Searcher. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"Italian Wine Label Information." Wine-Searcher. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"Valpolicella Blend Wine." Wine-Searcher. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"Veneto Wine." Wine-Searcher. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"Veneto: Ancient Doorway to the Orient." WineCountry.It. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"The Veneto Wine Region." Bottlenotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"Ultimate Guide to the Veneto Wine Region." TLC. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

"Veneto Wine Region History and Culture." TLC. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.

Fork and Cork 4/27/13

Fork and Cork was definitely not what I was expecting. In my head, for some reason, I wasn't expecting to have to wait in any lines or even that there would be so many people. But the place was packed and the lines were long. However, once we did our first tasting we realized that it was well worth the wait. 

The first tasting we visited was the Lexington Valley Vineyard. This happened to be my favorite stop of the day. My roommate loved it because the man who was helping us described it as the Hipster Winery. 

Name: 2011 Vidal Blanc
Varietal: Vidal Blanc
Price: $15.00
Winery Review: A Virginia Wine Lovers Magazine award winner, Vidal Blanc is a medium dry (1.5% residual sugar) white wine with a smooth finish. Pairs well with chicken or seafood or with citrus and garlic sauces. Also great with feta, smoked salmon and sushi.
My Review: I really loved this wine. It had a heavy peach scent on the nose and that peach came through in the taste as well. There was a strong bite of sour apple at the finish, and I didn't really get the "medium dry" taste, I thought it was a pretty fruity and sweet wine. After going to two other tastings, I went back for a glass of the Vidal Blanc. This wine was definitely my favorite of the day. It was sweet but not too much, and really not dry at all in my opinion. I loved the peach tastes. A lot of the other wines I tasted at Fork and Cork were actually too sweet to me, which I was very surprised about. 

Name: 2012 Traminette

Varietal: Traminette

Price: $16.00

Winery Review: Like its parent Gewurztraminer,this great German hybrid is a semi-dry white, with a bold fruity taste. Winner of 2010 silver metal. Great with Asian cuisine, chips and salsa, pork dishes, or fettuccini alfredo. 

My Review: This was my rooomates' favorite they absolutely loved it. I, however, (being the only one that smelled it first) did not like it at all. The nose on this wine honestly smelled like poop. It had a really stinky nose which made me not even want to try it. When I did taste it, it tasted very earthy and floral, I definitely didn't taste as much of the stinky-ness as I was expecting. However, I didn't really understand the hype of this wine. 

Name: 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon 

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 

Price: $16.00

Winery Review: A smooth, mellow red with hints of black cherry. This young cab is light and fruity - ready now or lay down for later. Pairs with red meat dishes and hearty stews or just by itself. 

My Review: The nose on this wine was very smokey. I also got a whiff of gasoline when I smelled it. However, the taste was tart and dry, with a cherry flavor. It was had a very soft taste of oak, but nothing that was overpowering or overwhelming. 

Name: 2010 Norton  

Varietal: Norton 

Price: $10.00

Winery Review: Tired of wimpy red wines?  This original Virginia varietal has a great taste with black cherry flavors and complimentary tannins for a truly satisfying glass of real wine.  Try Norton with chocolate, wow!  Also pairs with a juicy steak, lamb, game meats and sharp cheddar.

My Review: There was a heavy cherry scent on the nose of this wine. It also smelled a little bit like lavendar. The taste was really spicy, which is not something I really go for in a wine. It was also really dry. Needless to say this wine was not my favorite, but the man who did the tasting with us from the vineyard made this experience really enjoyable. 

Name: 2008 Chill 

Varietal: Norton 

Price: $10.00

Winery Review: A refreshing Norton Rosé fermented in oak barrels. Served chilled, it is light, fruity, with a hint of spice. It is a great picnic wine with fried chicken and potato salad.

My Review: This nose to me smelled very strong of cherry blossom. It reminded me of spring in Washington DC. The cherry blossoms are everywhere and they smell very floraly, with a slight stink to them. The nose on this wine was incredibly floral, as was the taste. I got a hint of oak on the finish of this wine. I actually really liked this one a lot. For $10, it's definitely a bargain. 

To the right is me with the glass of Vidal Blanc I got a little later in the afternoon. 

The next tasting we went to was the Hill Top Berry Farm. This was a new experience for us because it was a Winery and Meadery. The wine we tasted here were not your traditional grape wine, which I thought was really cool. 

Name: Peach Wine

Varietal: 100% Peach  

Price: $16.95

Winery Review: This is our signature fruit wine. Our peach wine is summer time in a glass. While it pairs perfectly with poultry or seafood, it can also be refreshing when served before or after dinner on a lazy summer day. 

My Review: When I asked about the vintage of these wine, I was interested to learn that the wine maker had bottled many of these just the day before. Apparently fruit wine is best nearly immediately. It smelled amazing, the nose was very peachy, obviously. It smelled kind of like syrup and nectar. It literally just tasted like peach juice with a hint of alcohol. I really liked this wine a lot and it was probably my second favorite of the day. 

Name: Cranberry Table Wine

Varietal: 100% Cranberry  

Price: $18.95

Winery Review: Hold on to your taste buds. This tart wine goes well with baked or grilled chicken or with turkey during the holidays; makes a refreshing Cosmopolitan, Sea Breeze, cranberry lemonade or spritzer. 

My Review: The nose on this wine was surprising to me. I got very strong scents of caramel. The first sip (as I was warned it would) made me cringe from its tartness. I puckered my lips and was almost embarrassed of the face I think I made. The wine maker told us the second sip would be more appealing and less tart, yet that was not the case for me. I still had an overwhelming sour and tart flavor on the second sip. Mixed with something else, like lemonade or sprite, I could see this wine being very good. However, on its own it was just too much for me. 

Food Pairing

Name: Dragon's Blood

Varietal: Pomegranate  

Price: $16.95

Winery Review: This wine has a great sherry like quality, is tart and slightly sweet. Pair with chocolate, spicy foods or red meat. Pomegranates and honey are good for you! 

My Review: This wine smelled very fruity, just like pomegranate juice. However, the taste was 100% honey. It tasted kind of thick and the honey taste really hit you in the face. On the finish you could get a slight hint of the pomegranate. I picked up a bottle of this and paired it with cheese and crackers when I got home. I know that's not what the review recommended but the honey taste made me really want cheese. It was a match made in heaven. I had it with crackers and swiss, and the combination was perfect. The sweetness of the wine balances the sour taste of the cheese and they worked really well together. I liked this wine a lot more when I paired it with something, it did not taste as thick or strong. 

Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Tasting

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône
Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95

Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this full- bodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

My Review: This wine was way too intense for me. I could tell it was going to overwhelm my palate when I first smelled it. The black cherry was very apparent, as was the licorice. I hate licorice so I was immediately skeptical. The finish on this wine was so hot, it distracted me from everything I had tasted. The alcohol content of this wine was too high for my taste. It overpowered the other flavors that I was expecting to taste. Definitely too big of a wine for me, especially for $15. However, I imagine these are the reds I will want to drink a my palate matures and I get older. 

Lobetia Tempranillo Tasting

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

My Review: The nose on this wine was really strong, and just got more so when I swirled it in my glass. It had very strong scents of raspberry and even some blueberry for me. The taste was more smokey and oaky than fruity, which I found to be surprising, and the finish was too dry for my palate. However, I did get a really subtle hint of blackberry. This wine was not fruity enough for me on the taste, I would not buy it. 

Lobetia Chardonnay Tasting

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

My Review: I liked this wine. The nose smelled very passion-fruity. It kind of smelled like a Capri Sun to me. The taste was very similar, fruity and not too hot with alcohol. The taste was pretty simple though, very basic fruits. This wine I think would be good in the summer, maybe with simple grilled chicken or vegetables. I would buy this wine, despite it being kind of expensive. 

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele Tasting

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Variety: 100% Syrah/Shiraz
Region: Veneto  
Country: Italy 
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

My Review: I was excited to try this wine because Pinot Grigio is definitely one of my favorites. The color was very interesting to me. It was much darker than most Pinot Grigios, this looked much more like dark apple juice. The smell was kind of citrusy, almost tart. However, when I actually tasted it, I definitely got some of the melon descriptions I read about in the review. I kind of got a taste of honeydew on the finish. I honestly don't like honeydew at all, so this wine left a bad taste in my mouth. For $8, it is not something I would buy. 

Ksana Bonarda Tasting

Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: 100% Bonarda 
Region: Mendoza  
Country: Argentina 
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95

Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

My Review: The nose on this wine was kind of smelly, it smelled like the outdoors. This was the first wine where I feel like I understood what Gary has meant when he says a wine smells like a barnyard. When I tased this wine, I actually cringed it was so dry. I am very sensitive to dry reds, I really don't like them. This one was pretty bad, I would never buy this wine.