February 2004
Continuing our journey along the Italian wine roads, this month we visit the territory of the Consorzio Tutela Vino Lessini Durello DOC, or "Guardianship Consortium for the Lessini-Durello DOC Wines", founded with the goal to further enhance the value of the exceptional wines traditionally produced in this area.
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THE MEMBER WINERIES |
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| The Area | |
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| The Territory | |
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"The Verona Aperitif", a nickname that is more and more used for the Lessini Durello wines, is a traditional product of the suggestive historic, environmental and scenic area of the Lessini Mountains.
According to Italian standards, it is a relatively "young" wine as the DOC &denomination was assigned to it in 1987. At the same time though, its history is "ancient", as the origins are traced to the "Durasena", a wine referred to in documents dated 1292. Durello means "hard", of strong flavor. In fact, notwithstanding its low level of alcohol, this pleasant white is perfect for production of spumante wines. In addition to vineyards and wineries, the Durello area offers the visitor vistas hidden noble villas and suggestive Medieval castles.
The "Lessini Durello" denomination is limited to grapes from the Durella vine, cultivated particularly on the hills of the Lessini Mountains, in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza. The wines may be blended with up to 15% of Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero and Chardonnay.
The production area of Lessini Durello D.O.C. grapes includes:
- within the Verona province, the whole municipalities of Vestenanova and S. Giovanni Ilarione, and parts of the municipalities of Montecchia di Crosara, Roncà, Cazzano di Tramigna, Tregnano and Baia Calavena.
- within the Vicenza province, the whole municipalities of Arzignano, Castelgomberto, Chiampo, Brogliano, Gambugliano and Trissino,and parts of the municipalities of Cornedo, Costabissara, Gambellara, Isola Vicentina, Malo, Marano Vicentino., Monte di Malo, Montebello Vicentino, Montecchio Maggiore, Montorso Vicentino, Nogarole Vicentino, S. Vito di Leguzzano, Schio and Zermeghedo.
The area includes variegated hills whose soil is of volcanic origins, composition is prevalently basalt turf and slightly alkaline. The climate is temperate and damp with prevailing warm summers.
The wines produced under the denomination are:/p>
- Lessini Durello D.O.C.
- Lessini Durello D.O.C. Superiore
- Lessini Durello D.O.C. Spumante.
The wine roads of the Lessini Mountains
Based upon attentive analysis of ancient commercial wine routes, Medieval roads, and the areas of the ancient Cimber settlements, three different itineraries have been developed, comprising both the Verona and Vicenza areas.
The Lessini Durello denomination area is characterized by suggestive valleys. Within the Verona province it includes the high Val d'Illasi, the Tramigna valley and the municipalities north of the Val d'Alpone. In the Vicenza part, it includes the Chiampo, Leogra and Agno valleys.
The area includes many wineries, vineyards, restaurants, beautiful landscapes and places of historic interest that can be appreciated following the three wine roads.
Starting at Montebello Vicentino, reachable both by State Route 11 and the Serenissima (Very Serene) Hwy., travelers can either proceed toward Monteforte d'Alpone and the Veronese part of the area (itinerary # 1 ), or enter one of the most beautiful parts of Vicenza province, passing through Montorso and Montecchio Maggiore (itinerary #2).
Itinerary # 3 starts at Montecchio Maggiore and is the ideal choice for the visitor who prefers a shorter journey filled with architetectural and scenic attractions as well as a good number of wineries and vineyards. This wine road ends at Bolca, a world-famous site for fossil remains.
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