March 11: Like Prosecco, Italian Pinot Grigio has made big strides in the export market but the production is centered around the North- East Italy, with 85% of Italian Pinot Grigio coming from this region; so it was not surprising that a separate inter-region consortium, called Consortium DOC delleVenezie was officially announced at Vinitaly last year, writes Subhash Arora who believes the grape variety is already popular in India and has huge potential
The delleVenezie DOC with office between Gambellara and Vicenza is an “inter-regional” appellation that encompasses wines from the Autonomous Province of Trento, Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Veneto Region and originated from the objective of protecting and enhances the Pinot Grigio production in the whole of entire North East. It is the 335th DOC appellation to be announced in Italy.
The new DOC that came into existence last year when it was presented at Vinitaly, covers the largest area of Pinot Grigio vineyards in the world; at present 85% of Italian Pinot Grigio is produced in these 3 areas.
According to the figures released by the Consortium recently, the surface area of planted vineyards reached 23,374 hectares in 2016, registering significant growth compared to 2014 (+30.3% in Veneto, +23.2% in Friuli Venezia Giulia and +4.5% in the Province of Trento). Today the delleVenezie Pinot Grigio supply chain has reportedly a potential value of €750 million.
Pinot Grigio has been a very popular grape in the USA and till last year was the imported grape varietal with the highest growth in the USA and is also produced there in small quantity. It is from greenish-to golden yellow with fruity, intense characteristics and slightly aromatic aromas. It is dry to slightly sweet and has a minimum of 11% alcohol according to the appellation rules. Generally 14-15 gms/liter is the official minimum solid extract required to be in the wine. It has been quite popular as it can be as easily enjoyed even without food or with light snacks. With 4.5gms/liter acidity, it makes quite vibrant wines. It is very pleasant as an Aperitif or with fish made in light style and a majority of Indian vegetarian dishes.
According to the Appellation rules Pinot Grigio delle Venezie doc should have Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio; maximum 15% of specified grapes like Chardonnay, Friulano, Garganega, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, and/or Verduzzo. Until 2027, other nonaromatic white grapes may be used in addition to those listed.
This action of elevating Pinot Grigio from IGP delle Venezie (now IGP Trevenezie) to a doc status has been quite fruitful. The area has a potential to grown vines in 60,000 acres with a potental of 20 million cases (240 million bottles), close to half the current demand of over 500 million bottles of Prosecco globally.
Production
Zone of production: The entire regions of Friuli–Venezia Giulia and Veneto, plus the Trentino half of Trentino/Alto Adige- the province of Trento and Veneto:
- Spumante must be fermented in autoclaves (pressurized tanks)
- Minimum alcohol level: 11%
- Residual sugar: Spumante can range from zero dosage to dry (28 gms.)
- Aging: No minimums specified
- Varietal Pinot Grigio may be labelled as “Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC”
- Pinot Grigio delle Venezie doc should have Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio; maximum 15% of specified grapes like Chardonnay, Friulano, Garganega, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, and/or Verduzzo.
Next time you look at a bottle of Italian Pinot Grigio, you may be able to read ‘ Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC and comprehend the change.
Subhash Arora
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