Soave DOC

DOC area for white wine in the west of the Italian region of Veneto. The name Soave supposedly goes back to the Swabians who immigrated from the north and settled here in the Middle Ages. However, it also means gentle or "lieblich" and is often used to describe the character. Adjacent to Soave to the east is the Gambellara DOC zone, with similar wine. The zone includes the municipalities of Caldiero, Cazzano di Tramigna, Colognola ai Colli, Illasi, Lavagno, Mezzane di Sotto, Montecchia di Crosara, Monteforte d'Alpone, Roncà, San Bonifacio, San Giovanni Ilarione, San Martino Buon Albergo and the namesake Soave in the province of Verona.

The Classico area includes the municipalities of Monteforte d'Alpone and Soave. It is located on the often steep south and southwest slopes between the two towns at an altitude of 100 to 350 metres above sea level. The Colli Scaligeri subzone includes the municipalities of Caldiero, Cazzano di Tramigna, Colognola ai Colli, Illasi, Lavagno, Mezzane di Sotto, Montecchia di Crosara, Monteforte d'Alpone, Roncà, San Giovanni Ilarione, San Martino Buon Albergo and Soave. The vineyards cover a total of around 5,300 hectares east of Verona in the alluvial plain of the Adige river.

The white wine is made from Garganega (max. 70%) and any blend of Chardonnay and Trebbiano di Soave/Trebbiano Nostrano = Verdicchio Bianco (max. 30%, of which max. 5% other authorised varieties). According to the origin of the grapes, there are the designations of origin Soave, Soave Classico and Soave Colli Scaligeri. In addition, a Spumante is also produced. In 2001, the two wine types Soave Superiore and Soave Classico Superiore were classified as DOCG. The minimum alcohol content is 12%, for the Riserva 12.5% vol. They must be matured in the bottle for at least 3 months, a Riserva for at least 24 months, 3 months of which must be in the bottle. The sweet Recioto di Soave received the DOCG classification already in 1998.