Still red in Veneto

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Bertani's Ripasso benefits from the estate's traditional Corvina-Rondinella blend and refermentation over dried Amarone skins, producing a mid-weight red with the freshness typical of the traditional house style.

Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

One of Bardolino's oldest estates, founded in 1889. Campagnola's Bardolino Classico is a genuine expression of the pale ruby, low-tannin, cherry-scented style from the original lakefront Bardolino zone. The estate's daily opening policy makes it a popular stop on the Lake Garda wine tourist circuit.

Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Campagnola's Valpolicella Classico from the estate's hillside vineyards in the historic Classico zone. A traditional expression of the DOC: light in colour and body but with the characteristic Corvina sour cherry and almond character of the Classico hills.

Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Corte Gardoni's Bardolino Classico is produced from Corvina-dominated vines on the southern Garda morainic soils. Light-bodied, pale ruby and fresh: a classic everyday Garda red suited to fish, vegetable dishes and outdoor drinking.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Rustic

The Le Fontane (the springs) red from Corte Gardoni is a Garda DOC Cabernet-based blend aged in oak. The Garda DOC permits Bordeaux varieties and the morainic soils of Valeggio sul Mincio give the Cabernet a mineral freshness that distinguishes it from warmer Veneto reds.

Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Refreshing

Gorgo's Bardolino Classico from vineyards along the eastern Garda shore. A light, fresh Corvina-Rondinella red for everyday drinking, complementing the estate's main Custoza white wine focus.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Gorgo's Garda DOC Merlot provides a red wine counterpart to the estate's primary Bianco di Custoza focus. Lake Garda's moderating effect on the climate produces a well-rounded Merlot with soft tannins and ripe fruit.

Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

A classic light-bodied Bardolino Classico from the Lake Garda shoreline estates. The Classico denomination requires production from the original Bardolino historic core. Guerrieri Rizzardi (vineyard records from 1649) produces a pale ruby, cherry-scented expression of the style.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Pojega is the top expression from Guerrieri Rizzardi's Bardolino range, bottled under the Bardolino Superiore DOCG. Oak ageing adds structure and complexity to the base Classico profile. Named for the Pojega wine museum located on the estate.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

The Piave plain Merlot DOC from Italo Cescon is a classic Trevisan everyday red. Merlot on the alluvial Piave soils produces a plum-forward, medium-bodied wine with soft tannins suited to simple food pairings.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Bold

Raboso Piave is a long-documented native red grape of the Piave river plains in Treviso province (records from the 16th century). Italo Cescon has championed its rehabilitation since the 1960s. High tannin and acid give the wine austerity in youth but long age-worthiness.

Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

Fratta is Maculan's Bordeaux-inspired flagship red, one of northeastern Italy's landmark wines. A Cabernet-Merlot blend aged 18 months in new French oak, it rivals top Veneto reds in complexity and ageing potential. Fausto Maculan was among the first producers in the Veneto to vinify Bordeaux varieties at serious quality levels.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The flagship of the Montello DOCG, a structured Bordeaux-blend red. Serafini and Vidotto pioneered Bordeaux-variety production on the Montello hills in the 1980s. Il Rosso dell'Abazia is the cornerstone wine of the designation.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Phigaia is the accessible second wine from Serafini and Vidotto, allowing the estate to express the Montello terroir at a lower price point. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend is lighter, fresher and more immediately enjoyable than Il Rosso dell'Abazia.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Tenuta Sant'Antonio's Ripasso shows the Mezzane valley's characteristic earthiness alongside cherry-tobacco fruit; the small Oseleta addition adds a distinguishing spice note that sets it apart from Classico-zone examples.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Rustic

A Cabernet-focused red from the volcanic slopes of the Euganean Hills. The Colli Euganei DOC allows Cabernet varieties and Vignalta's version shows the distinctive mineral thread of volcanic soil combined with the classic Cabernet Franc herbal character.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Gemola is the flagship red of Vignalta in the Euganean Hills. The volcanic basalt soils give a distinctive mineral thread to this Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend, contrasting with the softer alluvial reds of the plain.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Zenato's Ripassa shows the Oseleta grape's peppery-spice influence even at the mid-tier level: good concentration from refermentation over dried skins with a distinguishing warmth from the native Oseleta component.