The dominant grape of Valpolicella and the backbone of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG and Valpolicella DOC. Corvina has thin, cherry-red skin and must be blended with Corvinone and Rondinella under DOCG rules (minimum 45% Corvina in Amarone, maximum 95%). Its naturally high acidity survives the appassimento drying process that concentrates sugars, yielding the powerful, dry and aromatic character of Amarone. Best sites are the limestone and clay hillsides of the Classico zone between Negrar, Fumane and San Pietro in Cariano.
Historically treated as a variant of Corvina but now recognised as a separate variety, Corvinone has larger berries and a thicker skin than Corvina, contributing more colour, tannin and body to Amarone blends.
The third mandatory grape in Amarone and Valpolicella blends, Rondinella contributes up to 30% of the blend. With naturally thicker skin than Corvina, Rondinella is highly resistant to fungal disease and tolerates the appassimento drying process better than most varieties. It contributes floral aromas (roses, violets), colour and medium tannins. Also used in Bardolino DOC and Chiaretto di Bardolino. Rarely vinified as a single-variety wine.
A rare, nearly extinct Veronese variety resurrected by Masi Agricola in the 1980s, Oseleta produces tiny, intensely pigmented berries with very high tannin and colour.
The defining white grape of Soave and the Veneto's most important indigenous white variety, Garganega requires minimum 70% in Soave Classico DOC and Soave Superiore DOCG. On the volcanic basalt and tufa hillsides of the Classico zone, old-vine Garganega produces wines of exceptional mineral intensity with aromas of white peach, almond, bitter lemon peel and white flowers. With ageing, complex notes of honey, toasted almonds and lanolin develop. Also used in Bianco di Custoza DOC blends. Recioto di Soave DOCG is a rare, exceptional sweet dessert wine from dried Garganega.
The variety responsible for Prosecco DOC and both Prosecco Superiore DOCGs (Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Asolo), Glera was historically known as Prosecco after the village near Trieste.
The only variety permitted in Lugana DOC, Turbiana was long considered a local clone of Trebbiano Toscano but DNA analysis confirmed it is genetically identical to Verdicchio, the variety of Marche.
An indigenous variety grown principally in the Breganze DOC in Vicenza province. Vespaiola's name derives from the word for wasp (vespa) because its sugar-rich berries attract wasps at harvest.
A historic variety of the Venetian plains documented since at least the 16th century. Raboso Piave has thin dark skin, very high acidity and grippy tannins that make it austere young but rewards 10-15 years of ageing.
The golden muscat variety grown on the volcanic Euganean Hills southwest of Padova, where it forms the basis of the Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG in both passito and sparkling versions.