Italy is "richer" for another DOC wine. The Italians have defined the 335th wine with DOC status which will be called Delle Venezie DOC. This is the result of successfully completed work on creation of a new region for DOC wines that will feature Pinot Grigio (both still and sparkling wines)and white blends. The new DOC region includes provinces of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia and Trentino. The aim is to improve visibility of Pinot Grigio from the north of Italy and help branding the entire region.

As we know, the largest surface area of Pinot Grigio in Italy is found in this zone and now the greatest portion of it meets DOC requirements. We may expect that 2017 vintage wines will be labelled Delle Venezie DOC. Anyhow, this part of northern Italy is responsible for 85% of Pinot Grigio production in Italy (43% of total global production). If we express this in figures, we are talking about 260 million bottles of wine. Vineyards of Pinot Grigio cover 11,500 hectares in Veneto, 6,000 hectares in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia and another 2,800 in the province of Trento. The growing popularity of this variety over the last decade is also illustrated by the fact that in 2000 there were 6,700 hectares of Pinot Grigio in northern Italy.

It is proscribed that wine must contain at least 85% Pinot Grigio to qualify for DOC status. Other varieties for blending can be all white varieties produced in the region (Chardonnay, Friulano, Garganega, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco and Verduzzo). Sparkling Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC must be produced by charmat method and must contain less than 32 g / l of residual sugar.

White blend with DOC status may contain any aromatic grape variety produced in the region, but at least 50% must be some of the following varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Muller-Thurgau, Garganega, Verduzzo or Friulano.

With the emergence of a new DOC area, the existing IGP delle Venezie will be renamed to IGP Trevenezie.

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