Tre Bicchieri 2019 Previews. Veneto's best wines

Veneto’s terroir vary greatly, but viticulture has always been a prominent form of agriculture in the region. Apart from its southernmost corner, Veneto’s appellations comprise both plains and hills, from gravelly soil to terrain rich in clay and volcanic material, and grapes ranging from international cultivar to the various native grapes with which it’s been identified for centuries. Over the course of history, various areas within it have known their peaks and valleys, but today two are undoubtedly the most noteworthy, representing Italian wine the world over: Valpolicella, with its Superiore and Amarone, and Conegliano Valdobbiadene, which has made Prosecco and Italian sparkling wine in general its flagship products. As Veneto’s most active DOC appellations, they’ve seen an accelerated pace of development, both in terms of quality and when it comes to the commercial side of things. A number of Valpolicellas earned Tre Bicchieri in this edition, and we’re pleased to observe how the style of their Superiore is finding a more authentic identity, limiting the process of partial grape drying and giving rise to wines defined by their tension and aromatic finesse. It’s a similar story with Amarone, where drying hasn’t been entirely renounced, but a more complete, less soft profile is pursued. Conegliano Valdobbiadene’s Prosecco Bruts are increasingly convincing, testifying to their commitment to the savoriness and delicacy of the grape, without relying too much on sugar. The Colli Euganei hills continue to serve as a bastion of vigorous, elegant reds, as evidenced perfectly by Giordano Emo Capodilista’s Baon, while in the nearby Colli Berici it’s Dal Maso who once again shines with a sumptuous Merlot Casara Roveri. In the eastern part of the region, an increasing number of producers are eschewing pre-set models, choosing instead to develop and promote their territory with originality. The Sutto and Cescon families are accompanied by Serafini and Vidotto in speaking for an area that does more than just Prosecco, showing great potential for still wines as well. Finally, Soave, Custoza and Bardolina are defined by their adherence to a clear notion of elegance, eschewing over-concentration or cultivar from outside local tradition.

Amarone della Valpolicella ’14 - Famiglia Cottini - Monte Zovo

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. ’14 - Allegrini

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. ’10 - Cav. G. B. Bertani

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. ’09 - Giuseppe Quintarelli

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Albasini ’11 - Villa Spinosa

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Casa dei Bepi ’12 - Viviani

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Costasera Ris. ’13 - Masi

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. De Buris Ris. ’08 - Tommasi Viticoltori

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Monte Ca’ Bianca ’13 - Lorenzo Begali

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Vign. di Ravazzol ’13 - Ca’ La Bionda

Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Villa Rizzardi ’13 - Guerrieri Rizzardi

Amarone della Valpolicella Leone Zardini Ris. ’11 - Pietro Zardini

Amarone della Valpolicella Pasqua Mai dire Mai ’11 - Pasqua-Cecilia Beretta

Baon ’15 - Conte Emo Capodilista La Montecchia

Bardolino Sup. Pràdicà ’16 - Corte Gardoni

Campo Sella ’15 - Sutto

Capitel Croce ’17 - Roberto Anselmi

Cartizze Brut V. La Rivetta - Villa Sandi

Colli Berici Merlot Casara Roveri ’15 - Dal Maso

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Rive di Ogliano Brut Nature ’17 - BiancaVigna

Custoza Sanpietro ’16 - Le Vigne di San Pietro

Custoza Sup. Amedeo ’16 - Cavalchina

Custoza Sup. Ca’ del Magro ’16 - Monte del Frà

Lugana Molceo Ris. ’16 - Ottella

Lugana Sergio Zenato Ris. ’15 - Zenato

Madre ’16 - Italo Cescon

Montello e Colli Asolani Il Rosso dell’Abazia ’15 - Serafini & Vidotto

Riesling Renano Collezione di Famiglia ’13 - Roeno

Soave Cl. Calvarino ’16 - Leonildo Pieropan

Soave Cl. Monte Alto ’16 - Ca’ Rugate

Soave Cl. Monte Carbonare ’16 - Suavia

Soave Cl. Monte Grande ’16 - Graziano Prà

Valdobbiadene Brut Campofalco Vign. Monfalcon ’17 - Canevel Spumanti

Valdobbiadene Brut Dirupo ’17 - Andreola

Valdobbiadene Brut Nature Particella 232 - Sorelle Bronca

Valdobbiadene Brut Rive di Col San Martino Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto ’17 - Merotto

Valdobbiadene Brut Rive San Pietro di Barbozza Grande Cuvée del Fondatore Motus Vitae ’16 - Bortolomiol

Valdobbiadene Extra Dry Giustino B. ’17 - Ruggeri & C.

Valpolicella Cl. Sup. Camporenzo ’15 - Monte dall’Ora

Valpolicella Sup. Ripasso Campo Ciotoli ’16 - I Campi

Valpolicella Sup. Tenuta Campocroce ’16 - Tenute SalvaTerra