Region: Lombardia, Veneto
History: Established as a DOC in 1996
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Cortese, Friulano, Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Groppello, Marzemino, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco Classico (Wh): Minimum 70% Riesling and/or Welschriesling + OANWG
- Chardonnay (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OANWG
- Cortese (Wh): Minimum 85% Cortese + OANWG
- Garganega (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Garganega + OANWG
- Pinot Bianco (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Bianco + OANWG
- Pinot Grigio (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio + OANWG
- Riesling (Wh): Minimum 85% Riesling + OANWG
- Riesling Italico (Wh): Minimum 85% Welschriesling (aka Riesling Italico) + OANWG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OANWG
- Tai (Wh): Minimum 85% Friulano (locally Tai) + OANWG
ROSATO WINES
- Chiaretto Classico (Ro): Minimum 30% Groppello (Gentile, Mocasina, and/or San Stefano); minimum 5% Barbera; minimum 5% Marzemino; minimum 5% Sangiovese; maximum 10% OAG
RED WINES
- Rosso Classico (Rd): Minimum 30% Groppello; minimum 5% Barbera; minimum 5% Marzemino; minimum 5% Sangiovese; maximum 10% OAG
- Barbera (Rd): Minimum 85% Barbera + OANRG
- Cabernet (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Carmenère + OANRG
- Cabernet Franc (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc + OANRG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OANRG
- Corvina (Rd): Minimum 85% Corvina + OANRG
- Groppello Classico (Rd): Minimum 85% Groppello + OANRG
- Marzemino (Rd): Minimum 85% Marzemino + OANRG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OANRG
- Pinot Nero (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OANRG
- Novello (Rosso Classico)
- Superiore (Rosso Classico)
- Riserva (Groppello Classico)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Minimum 85% varietal Pinot Bianco, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc; maximum 15% Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine); maximum 15% OANWG
- Rosé Spumante (RoSp): Minimum 30% Groppello; minimum 5% Barbera; minimum 5% Marzemino; minimum 5% Sangiovese; maximum 15% Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine); maximum 10% OAG
Subzone:
- Classico (Bianco, Chiaretto, Rosso, Groppello, Novello, Superiore, and Riserva only)
Significant Production Rules:
- Spumante wines may undergo second fermentation either in bottles or in autoclaves
- Minimum alcohol level: 10.0% for Chardonnay frizzante and Garganega frizzante; 10.5% for still white varietals, Barbera, Corvina, and Marzemino; 11.0% for Bianco, Rosso, Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Groppello, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Novello, and Spumante; 11.5% for Chiaretto and Rosé Spumante; 12.0% for Superiore and Riserva
- Residual sugar: Maximum 49 g/l (4.9%) for Rosé Spumante
- Aging: For Superiore, minimum approx. 14 months (ERD = December 31, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2)