REGIJA / REGION
Valpolicella je najpoznatije vinogorje u sjeveroistočnoj Italiji u vinu u regiji Veneto. Nije teško razumjeti zašto, obzirom na jednostavnu privlačnost obične crvene Valpolicelle, zajedno s prestižom svog moćnog i intenzivno okusa kolega Amarone Della Valpolicella. Dolina također proizvodi bijela vina – i suha i slatka – pod raznim Soave titule.
Sorte grožđa koja se koriste su Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella I Molinara. Corvina se općenito smatra najboljim od tri, i sigurno je najtradicionalniji. Rondinella se pokazala popularanom u 1960-ih i 1970-ih zbog svojih velikodušnih prinosa. Corvina ostaje grožđe koje je izbor za kvalitetnu Valpolicellu, a posebno Amarone Della Valpolicella, Recioto Della Valpolicella i Valpolicella Ripasso.
Na toplijim, dobro isušen padinama, Corvina proizvodi vina s više tijela nego što se tradicionalno očekuje od Valpolicella, što objašnjava ogromnu kvalitetu između redovite Valpolicella iz ravnica i Amarone iz brda tradicionalnog Valpolicella Classico predjela.
Regija
Veneto je jedna od 20 talijanskih regija, smještena u najsjevernijem dijelu Italije, glavni grad regije je Venecija. Regija je nekada bila dio Mletačke republike. Regija Veneto ima najrazvijeniji turizam od svih regija u Italiji kroz koji prezentira svoju kulturnu i povijesnu baštinu Mletačke republike. Bogatstvo arhitekture i kulture dokaz je koliko je nekada Venecija imala utjecaja u ovom dijelu Europe. Danas se ekonomija regije bazira na industriji, modi te turizmu. Iako važnost poljoprivrede opada u regiji ona je veoma važna za regiju te je jedna od najproduktivnijih u Italiji. Regija Veneto ima izuzetne krajolike koji se protežu od Dolomita do istočnih obala jezera Garda i Peschiera del Garda, rijeke Po i njezine delte, Venecijanske lagune te dugih pješčanih plaža tipa Jesolo, Bibione, Cavallinoi Caorle. Veneto je i domovina mnogih poznatih talijanskih vina, a najpoznatija su Saove, Breganze Bianco, Prosecco, Bardolino i Amarone della Valpolicella. Također se proizvode i pjenušava vina (spumante) te grappa (rakija od grožđa). Veneto proizvodi najviše DOC boca vina od svih ostalih regija u Italiji. Amarone della Valpolicella proizvodi se od visoko kvalitetnog grožđa uzgojenog na brdima kod Verone te spada u jedne od najskupljih crnih vina svijeta. Regija je zaštićena od ekstremnih klimatskih uvjeta Alpa, podnožja brda Veneta imaju hladniju klimu koja je pogodna za uzgoj sorata grožđa poput Garganega (glavna sorta za Saove vino). Dok toplija klima bliže Jadranskome more s dolinama rijeka i jezera su pogodna za sorte Valpolicella, Amarone i Bardolino od kojih se proizvodi crno vino. Blizu Venecijanske lagune, između brda Treviso, rijeke Piave i Jadranskog mora proizvodi se slavan Prosecco (od sorte grožđa Glera). U središnjem dijelu Veneta gdje prevladava mediteranska mikroklima kod Colli Euganei, brda blizu Padove, poznata je po proizvodnji pjenušavog desertnog vina, Moscato fior d’arancio. Breganze je područje poznato po proizvodnji desertnog vina Torcolato od grožđa Vespaiolo. Proizvođači grožđa i vinari regije Veneto koriste moderne metode i sisteme uzgoja kako u vinogradu tako i u podrumu. Iako su najpoznatija vina regije bazirana na domaćim sortama grožđa poput Glera (Prosecco) i Verduzzo, visoka potražnja za Veneto vinima potakla je proizvođače da eksperimentiraju sa sortama Cabernet, Chardonnay i Pinot. Veneto ima preko 90 000 hektrara posađenih vinograda od kojih je 35 400 hektara pod DOC-om. Bijelo vino zauzima 55% proizvodnje vina u regiji. Jedna od najpoznatijih agronomskih fakulteta za vinogradarstvo i vinarstvo nalazi se upravo u regiji Veneto u mjestu Conegliano, a također najpoznatiji vinski sajam Italije (VinItaly) održava se svakog proljeća u Veroni.
Valpolicella is the most famous vineyard in northeastern Italy in wine in the Veneto region. It’s not hard to understand why, given the simple appeal of plain red Valpolicella, along with the prestige of its powerful and intense flavor counterpart Amarone Della Valpolicella. The valley also produces white wines – both dry and sweet – under various Soave titles. The grape varieties used are Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara. Corvina is generally considered the best of the three, and is certainly the most traditional. Rondinella proved popular in the 1960s and 1970s for its generous yields. Corvina remains the grape that is the choice for quality Valpolicella, especially Amarone Della Valpolicella, Recioto Della Valpolicella and Valpolicella Ripasso. On warmer, well-drained slopes, Corvina produces wines with more body than traditionally expected from Valpolicella, which explains the tremendous quality between regular Valpolicella from the plains and Amarone from the hills of traditional Valpolicella Classico appetizers.
Region Veneto is one of the 20 Italian regions, located in the northernmost part of Italy, the capital of the region is Venice. The region was once part of the Venetian Republic. The Veneto region has the most developed tourism of all the regions in Italy through which it presents its cultural and historical heritage of the Venetian Republic. The richness of architecture and culture is proof of how much Venice once had an influence in this part of Europe. Today, the region’s economy is based on industry, fashion and tourism. Although the importance of agriculture is declining in the region, it is very important for the region and is one of the most productive in Italy. The Veneto region has exceptional landscapes that stretch from the Dolomites to the eastern shores of Lakes Garda and Peschiera del Garda, the Po River and its deltas, the Venetian Lagoon and long sandy beaches such as Jesolo, Bibione, Cavallinoi Caorle. Veneto is also home to many famous Italian wines, the most famous being Saove, Breganze Bianco, Prosecco, Bardolino and Amarone della Valpolicella. Sparkling wines (spumante) and grappa (grape brandy) are also produced. Veneto produces the most DOC bottles of wine of all other regions in Italy. Amarone della Valpolicella is produced from high quality grapes grown in the hills near Verona and is one of the most expensive red wines in the world. The region is protected from the extreme climatic conditions of the Alps, the foothills of the Veneto hills have a colder climate that is suitable for growing grape varieties like Gargano (the main variety for Sao wine). While the warmer climate closer to the Adriatic Sea with the valleys of rivers and lakes are suitable for the varieties Valpolicella, Amarone and Bardolino from which red wine is produced. Near the Venetian lagoon, between the hills of Treviso, the river Piave and the Adriatic Sea, the famous Prosecco (from the Glera grape variety) is produced. In the central part of Veneto, where the Mediterranean microclimate prevails near Colli Euganei, a hill near Padua, it is known for the production of sparkling dessert wine, Moscato fior d’arancio. Breganze is an area known for the production of Torcolato dessert wine from Vespaiolo grapes. Grape growers and winemakers of the Veneto region use modern methods and systems of cultivation both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Although the region’s most famous wines are based on domestic grape varieties such as Glera (Prosecco) and Verduzzo, the high demand for Veneto wines has prompted producers to experiment with Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot varieties. Veneto has over 90,000 hectares of planted vineyards of which 35,400 hectares are under DOC. White wine accounts for 55% of wine production in the region. One of the most famous agronomic faculties for viticulture and winemaking is located in the Veneto region in Conegliano, and also the most famous Italian wine fair (VinItaly) is held every spring in Verona.