Italy's traditional-method sparkling zone on the moraine south of Lake Iseo, a straight run west on the A4 and the obvious contrast to a week of Amarone.
Tip: Franciacorta cellars take bookings far more readily than Valpolicella's small estates, so this is the easiest day to arrange at short notice.
Garganega on volcanic and limestone hills east of Verona, the white counterweight to Valpolicella's reds, with the Scaliger castle above the walled town of Soave.
Pours: Soave Classico DOC from Garganega, Soave Superiore DOCG, Recioto di Soave DOCG
Tip: Soave and Valpolicella share a province but not a soil: the hills here are volcanic. Taste a Soave Classico beside a Valpolicella Classico.
Corvina again, but on the moraine hills of Lake Garda and made light and pale rather than dried, with Chiaretto as the rosato that the same grape gives here.
Pours: Bardolino DOC, Bardolino Chiaretto DOC, Bardolino Superiore DOCG
Tip: Bardolino uses the same Corvina and Rondinella as Valpolicella with no appassimento at all, which makes it the clearest way to isolate what the drying does.
Turbiana on the clay flats at the southern end of Lake Garda, a white that ages far better than its price suggests, with the Roman villa at Sirmione as the day's other stop.
Pours: Lugana DOC from Turbiana, Lugana Riserva, Lugana Metodo Classico
Tip: Villa Della Torre bottles Lugana as well as Valpolicella, so you can taste the connection before you drive out.
A blended white from Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Friulano and Cortese on the glacial moraine southwest of Verona, and the quietest of the Verona denominations to visit.
Pours: Custoza DOC white blend, Custoza Superiore, Custoza passito
Tip: Custoza is close enough to Verona to be a half-day. The battlefield tower at Custoza gives the clearest view of the moraine landscape.
Durella grown on the volcanic Lessini hills makes a high-acid traditional-method sparkling, and the plateau above supplies the Monte Veronese cheese that Valpolicella restaurants serve.
Pours: Lessini Durello DOC sparkling, Monti Lessini Durello Riserva, Durella still white
Tip: The Lessinia is where the black truffle and the Monte Veronese DOP on Valpolicella menus come from, so the drive doubles as a produce trip.
Glera on the steep hogback hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO landscape and the Charmat counterpoint to everything Valpolicella does with dried fruit.
Pours: Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Cartizze, Col Fondo rifermentato
Tip: This is a full day rather than a half day from Verona. Stay a night in Valdobbiadene if you want more than two cellars.
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