The tastings for Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia 2025 guide highlighted a very positive outlook for Veneto wines across all major denominations, despite the challenging 2023 vintage. Here, we turn our attention to the finest expressions of the Soave DOC that particularly stood out. This region is located in Verona province, with the Monti Lessini sloping southward and the western boundary marked by the Vicenza province.
The Soave DOC
The Soave DOC, one of Italy’s oldest, was officially recognised by royal decree in 1931. It encompasses around 7,000 hectares of vineyards across 13 municipalities east of Verona, partly on hills of volcanic origin. Soave was also the first Italian wine-growing district to be included in the National Register of Historic Rural Landscapes, followed by recognition from the FAO’s GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems). This highlights agricultural areas that promote sustainable, non-industrial farming and maintain a strong connection between landscape, local products, and associated rural communities.
The star grape of Soave is Garganega, which, thanks to the sunny 2022 vintage, produced numerous high-quality wines. This native variety has always been cultivated in the area and is thought to share genetic ties with Grecanico, widely grown in Sicily. Other grapes featured in Soave in varying proportions include Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay (up to a maximum of 30%).
Garganega is typically trained using the traditional *pergola veronese* system. This vigorous and productive grape variety has elongated clusters with golden-yellow berries. On the ancient volcanic soils of Soave and Gambellara, Garganega has found its ideal home, producing fascinating, long-lived wines with a pronounced mineral profile. When vinified alone, it offers a bouquet of white flowers, fruity aromas, tropical notes, and an almond-like finish. Its standout feature is its exceptional balance, giving the wine body, structure, and a certain softness.
While steel ageing is commonly used to preserve the grape’s varietal aromas, barrel ageing is increasingly employed, adding complexity and structure. Garganega also lends itself well to over-ripening on the vine, resulting in more concentrated and softer late-harvest wines. Its natural suitability for drying is especially valued in creating some of the most renowned dessert wines, such as Recioto di Soave DOCG and Recioto di Gambellara DOCG.
A new entry in the Tre Bicchieri Club
With its Verso '21, Canoso makes its debut in the Tre Bicchieri club. Giovanni Bartucci acquired the Monteforte d’Alpone (VR) winery less than a decade ago and has already turned it into one of the area’s most exciting producers.
The best Soave wines warded Tre Bicchieri
Below are the Soave wines that achieved the highest accolade, Tre Bicchieri, in Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia 2025 guide.
Soave Cl. Calvarino 2022 – Pieropan. Featuring a touch of Trebbiano di Soave, this wine boasts intense aromas of floral and citrus notes blended with white fruit, delivering a juicy and dynamic palate. Pieropan is synonymous with Soave’s history and Italian white wine, a pioneer in vineyard-specific bottlings since the early 1970s.
Soave Cl. Campo Vulcano 2023 – I Campi. With fresh fruit and floral aromas that hint at youthful simplicity, this wine shines with its lightness and vibrancy, embodying the best qualities of the denomination. Founded in 2006, I Campi’s Flavio Prà expertly interprets Soave and Valpolicella’s hilly terrains, producing elegant and dynamic wines.
Soave Cl. Carbonare Roccolo del Durlo 2022 – Le Battistelle. Offering smoky and yellow fruit notes, this wine combines immediacy and complexity with an energetic, dense sip. Gelmino and Cristina Dal Bosco run this small family winery dedicated exclusively to Garganega on basalt-rich soils.
Soave Cl. Monte Carbonare 2022 – Suavia. With subtle and slowly unfolding aromas of white fruit, floral hints, and deep mineral notes, this wine impresses with its juicy tension and acidic drive. Suavia, founded in the 1980s, is now run by Giovanni and Rosetta’s daughters, producing wines that emphasise character and terroir.
Soave Cl. Monte Grande 2022 – Graziano Prà. A classic of the denomination, this wine blends fruity, floral, and citrus aromas with a salty, long-lasting palate. Graziano Prà’s innovative approach highlights the connection between wine and terroir, delivering aromatic and refined whites.
Soave Cl. Sup. Le Coste Verso 2021 – Canoso. A white wine with extended maturation before bottling, this debut Tre Bicchieri winner balances complexity and immediate appeal. Giovanni Bartucci has quickly made Canoso one of the most noteworthy producers in Soave.
Soave Sup. Il Casale 2022 – Agostino Vicentini. A pure Garganega showcasing a delicate yet expansive aromatic profile of yellow fruit, flowers, and Mediterranean scrub. The full-bodied sip is juicy and long-lasting. Agostino Vicentini and his son Emanuele have elevated their family winery into a prominent name.
Soave Sup. Roncà Monte Calvarina Runcata 2022 – Dal Cero Tenuta Corte Giacobbe. This wine captivates with aromas of white fruit, mineral hints, and oak, delivering a dynamic, seemingly endless sip. The Dal Cero family expertly interprets Soave’s eastern hills, producing wines with distinctive acidity and character.
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