Colli Berici

Main Grapes of Colli Berici

The Colli Berici wine subregion in Veneto, Italy, is renowned for its diverse range of grape varieties that thrive in its unique climate and limestone-rich soils. The area is particularly notable for its balance between international and indigenous grapes, each bringing distinct characteristics to the region’s celebrated wines. Below, the main red and white grape varieties of Colli Berici are detailed, with a focus on their specific growing requirements.

Red Grapes

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in the Colli Berici thanks to the region’s warm summers and well-drained limestone soils. It requires ample sunlight and a long growing season to fully ripen, which the hills provide. The grape’s thick skins make it resistant to disease, but it performs best when yields are controlled to concentrate flavors in the wine.
• Merlot: Merlot is widely planted and adapts well to the clay-limestone soils of the Berici Hills. It prefers moderate climates without excessive heat, which allows for slow, even ripening. Merlot benefits from careful canopy management to avoid excessive vigor and ensure optimal fruit exposure. This allows to obtain wines of higher quality.
• Cabernet Franc: This variety thrives in slightly cooler sites within Colli Berici, where it can develop its characteristic aromatic profile. Cabernet Franc requires good drainage and benefits from soils that retain enough moisture to support steady growth. It ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it less susceptible to autumn rains.
• Carmenère: Colli Berici has become a reference point for Carmenère in Italy. The grape needs a warm, sunny climate and well-drained soils to achieve full ripeness and avoid green, herbaceous notes in the wines. It is sensitive to spring frosts and requires careful site selection to ensure consistent yields.
• Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir): Pinot Nero is more challenging to grow, requiring cooler microclimates and soils with good drainage. It is sensitive to excessive heat and humidity, which can lead to disease pressure. Low yields and careful vineyard management are essential for producing high-quality wines.
• Tai Rosso: Tai Rosso, the local name for a Grenache-related variety, is well adapted to the limestone and clay soils of Colli Berici. It thrives in sunny, well-ventilated sites, where it can produce balanced, aromatic wines. The grape requires careful control of yields to avoid dilution and ensure concentration of flavors.

White Grapes

• Garganega: Garganega is the cornerstone of Colli Berici white wines. It prefers volcanic or limestone soils and benefits from warm days and cool nights, which help preserve acidity. The grape is vigorous and requires careful pruning and canopy management to maintain quality.
• Chardonnay: Chardonnay adapts well to the region’s varied soils, especially those with good drainage. It requires moderate to warm climates and benefits from controlled yields to enhance flavor intensity. Early harvesting is sometimes necessary to retain freshness and avoid excessive ripeness.
• Friulano: Friulano thrives in well-ventilated, hillside vineyards with calcareous soils. It prefers a moderate climate that allows for gradual ripening, preserving its delicate aromatics. The grape is sensitive to disease, so careful vineyard management is essential.
• Manzoni Bianco: Manzoni Bianco is a cross that performs well in Colli Berici’s limestone soils. It requires good sun exposure and moderate rainfall, as excessive moisture can lead to disease. The grape is valued for its adaptability and ability to retain acidity even in warmer years.
• Pinot Bianco: Pinot Bianco prefers cooler sites with well-drained soils. It benefits from a long growing season that allows for slow flavor development. The grape is sensitive to high yields, so crop thinning is often practiced to ensure quality.
• Pinot Grigio: Pinot Grigio is widely planted and adapts to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained, mineral-rich sites. It requires a moderate climate and benefits from early harvesting to maintain its crisp acidity and fresh character.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc thrives in cooler, breezy sites with good drainage. It requires careful canopy management to protect its aromatic compounds from excessive sun and heat. The grape is sensitive to water stress, so consistent soil moisture is important for balanced ripening.