The 33 crus of Soave have made the final step to official status. The European Journal published the modification of the Soave DOC, Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG regulations which makes the labelling of the names of the Additional Geographical Units definitive. 28 of the crus are located in the classic area, 2 in the volcanic area of Roncà and 3 in the limestone hills of the Val d’Illasi and Mezzane.
The geographical units, together with the single vineyards approved by a Veneto Region decree, became official as of the 2019 harvest. Soon discerning consumers will be able to choose their Soave wine by the area or historical vineyard on the label of the wine in restaurants and on store shelves.
23 Additional Geographical Units covering 270 hectares of vineyards have been claimed for the first official vintage. This is a positive sign of the producers commitment to a path toward transparency and quality that emphasizes the historical production areas where viticulture has been practiced for over two centuries. This is a natural continuation of an economy that has always depended on viticulture as a source of growth.
These are the 23 Geographical Units (UGA Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive) which a number of Soave producers will claim on the labelling of the 2019 vintage: Broia, Brognoligo, Carbonare, Castellaro, Castelcerino, Colombara, Costalunga, Coste, Costeggiola, Fittà, Foscarino, Froscà, Menini, Monte Grande, Pigno, Pressoni, Sengialta, Tenda, Volpare, Zoppega, Duel, Paradiso, Roncà – Monte Calvarina.
The path of introduction of the Additional Geographical Units began 30 years ago with a careful cartographic study which resulted in the preliminary zoning and the subsequent soil study. The preparatory work for the identification of the individual crus include an analysis of the soil and climate, and take into consideration a history that in the case of some crus dates back to the Napoleonic era.
“We can only be happy with the result – explains , President of the Consortium – most of the producers have been able to take the opportunity to differentiate their quality production through the Geographical Units and the single vineyards, and we hope there will soon be many opportunities to bring this story around the world »