Valpolicella

🇮🇹 Italy

DOC

DOC 1968 - Parent of Amarone DOCG, Corvina-based reds, three zones (Classico/Valpantena/Extended), Verona wine tourism flagship

0 venues 0 trails

Region profile

History

DOC status granted 1968 recognizing quality wine production. 1968 expansion extended boundaries eastward toward Soave DOC and south to Po River plains, creating Valpantena sub-zone and generic DOC alongside original Classico zone. Romans praised Valpolicella wines 2,000+ years ago. Classico zone comprises five historic communes (Fumane, Marano, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, Sant'Ambrogio), today producing 40% of all Valpolicella (460,000 hectoliters annually). Valpantena valley just east of Verona recognized as distinct sub-zone. Parent appellation to Amarone DOCG (2009), Recioto DOCG (2010), and Ripasso DOC. Verona wine region produces 6 million hectoliters certified DOC/DOCG (2018).

Climate
Continental climate; Verona province north of city; three sub-zones: Classico (historic heart - 5 communes: Fumane, Marano, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, Sant'Ambrogio, 40% production), Valpantena (eastern valley just east of Verona), Extended (1968 expansion eastward toward Soave, south to Po River plains); morainic hills; Mediterranean moderation
Signature wines
Valpolicella DOC Classico (Corvina/Corvinone 45-95%, Rondinella 5-30%, medium-bodied dry red, cherry/sour cherry/almond, drinks young); parent to Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (dried-grape appassimento), Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (sweet passito), Valpolicella Ripasso DOC (refermented on Amarone lees)
What sets it apart
Parent DOC to Amarone DOCG (€600M revenue, 18M bottles); DOC 1968 with 1968 expansion creating three zones (Classico/Valpantena/Extended); 2,400+ companies, 8,600 hectares; Verona UNESCO wine tourism flagship; Classico zone 40% production (460,000 hectoliters); seven comuni; Corvina indigenous grape showcase; birthplace of appassimento technique; Romans praised wines 2,000 years ago

Facts

  • DOC 1968 (official recognition)
  • 1968 boundaries extended eastward toward Soave, south to Po River/Adige plains
  • Classico zone: 5 communes (Fumane, Marano, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, Sant'Ambrogio), 40% production, 460,000 hectoliters annually
  • Valpantena sub-zone created 1968
  • seven total comuni: Pescantina, San Pietro in Cariano, Negrar, Marano, Fumane, Sant'Ambrogio, Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo
  • 2,400+ companies, 360 bottlers, 8,600 hectares
  • €600M revenue
  • parent to Amarone/Recioto/Ripasso
  • Verona UNESCO base

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026