Veneto: wine regions, grape varieties and styles

Why Veneto has so many wine styles

Veneto stretches from the Dolomites and Alps through the foothills and hilly zones to the Po Valley, Lake Garda, and the Adriatic coast. As a result, there are distinct temperature and rainfall differences between the plains, the foothills, and the internal Alpine region. Local influences from mountains, lakes, and the sea make the landscape even more varied. Source: ARPAV, Climate of Veneto.

The official regional inventory counts 53 wine designations: 14 DOCG, 29 DOC, and 10 IGT. Veneto is therefore an administrative wine region with multiple protected origins, not a single appellation. Source: Regione del Veneto, Vini DOCG, DOC e IGT.

Main areas and wine styles

Valpolicella: from fresh red to appassimento

In Valpolicella, north of Verona, Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella form the core of local red wines. Valpolicella DOC is made from fresh grapes; Valpolicella Ripasso undergoes a second fermentation on the skins of Amarone and/or Recioto. For Amarone, the grapes dry for approximately 100 to 120 days before being fermented in the winter. Recioto also uses dried grapes but retains residual sugar. Source: Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella; production of Ripasso; production of Amarone.

Soave: Garganega on volcanic and limestone hills

Soave is located in the eastern hill country of the Verona province. Soave DOC contains at least 70% Garganega; the historic Classico zone encompasses Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone. The appellation features both volcanic and limestone soils and includes dry, sparkling, and sweet styles, including Recioto di Soave. Source: Consorzio Tutela Vini Soave, production regulations.

Treviso hills and Prosecco

Glera makes up at least 85% of Prosecco DOC. The DOC is larger than Veneto: it covers five provinces in Veneto and four in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Within Veneto, there are also separate hill appellations: Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG. Therefore, consider Prosecco to be strongly linked to Veneto, but not exclusively Venetian. Source: Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC, production regulations.

Lake Garda: Bardolino and cross-border Lugana

On the east side of Lake Garda lies Bardolino, where Corvina is the main grape for red Bardolino and rosé Chiaretto. South of the lake is Lugana, a white DOC made from Turbiana that spans both the province of Verona in Veneto and Brescia in Lombardy. Source: Consorzio Tutela Chiaretto e Bardolino; Source: Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC.

Key grapes of Veneto

The 2025 regional acreage overview lists Glera, Pinot Grigio, Garganega, and Corvina as the four largest plantings. Figures change per vintage; hence, 2025 is explicitly mentioned here as the reference year. Source: Veneto Agricoltura, acreage by grape variety 2025.

• Glera is the basis for Prosecco; at least 85% is required for Prosecco DOC. Source.
• Garganega is the main grape for Soave and makes up at least 70% of Soave DOC. Source.
• Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella together define the classic Valpolicella family. Source.
• Pinot Grigio has a large acreage in Veneto, but wine with the broader Delle Venezie designation can also come from neighboring regions. Source for regional acreage.

What does appassimento mean?

Appassimento is the controlled drying of grapes before fermentation. In Valpolicella, this traditionally takes place in a fruttaio. For Amarone, the dried grapes are fully fermented into a dry wine; in the case of Recioto, fermentation is halted early so that residual sugar remains. Ripasso is different: a base Valpolicella undergoes a second fermentation on the skins of Amarone and/or Recioto. Source: Amarone; Source: Ripasso.

When looking at a specific bottle, always check the full designation of origin on the label. Prosecco DOC and Lugana DOC in particular may extend outside of Veneto. Source: official regional inventory; Prosecco DOC; Lugana DOC.