Region: Lombardia, Veneto
History: Established as a DOC in 1967
Vineyard Area: 1,126 ha / 2,781 acres (2013, V)
Production: 100,200 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 1,034,000 cases bottled annually
Principal White Grape Varieties: Trebbiano
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 90% Trebbiano di Soave (locally Trebbiano di Lugana or Turbiana) + OANWG
- Superiore (Bianco)
- Riserva (Bianco)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 90% Trebbiano di Soave + OANWG
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Vendemmia Tardiva (WhSw): Minimum 90% Trebbiano di Soave + OANWG
Significant Production Rules:
- Spumante wines may undergo second fermentation in bottles (Metodo Classico) or in pressurized tanks (Charmat method)
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Bianco; 11.5% for Spumante; 12.0% for Superiore and Riserva; 13.0% for Vendemmia Tardiva
- Residual sugar: Maximum 25 g/l (2.5%) for Spumante
- Aging: For Bianco, minimum approx. 4–5 months (ERD = January 15, V+1); for Vendemmia Tardiva and Superiore, minimum 12 months (ERD = October 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 24 months, including 6 months in bottle (ERD = October 1, V+2)