Pinot Grigio delle Venezie: a growing, global voice

As awareness of the outstanding quality of DOC delle Venezie Pinot Grigio grows rapidly, so too do its sales across international markets, db discovers.

The interregional DOC that unites wine producers in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino and Veneto underneath the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie umbrella is keeping its foot firmly on the accelerator. Bottling of Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC wines leapt by 9% in the first seven months of 2023, compared with the same period (January-July) in 2022. And the positive trend shows no sign of abating, with figures for the month of July 2023 showing an 8% jump on July 2022.

The continued growth has ensured there is ample bottled Pinot Grigio in cellars – just under 150,000 hl/month and almost entirely from the 2022 vintage – to meet demand right up until the end of the year.

A positive ‘passage of the baton’ is therefore expected as producers cross over into the next vintage.

“It is clear that our DOC is a valid support for all companies and producers in terms of international positioning, quality, but above all a guarantee of system balance for the North-Eastern wine supply chain,” says Albino Armani, president of the Protection Consortium.

“We can see a trend of stability in value that has lasted for two years now”.

CERTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY

According to Armani, the Denomination delle Venezie is increasingly becoming a household name. “We are witnessing the process of recognition of the Denomination delle Venezie day after day, achieved in the first instance thanks to the dynamism of our domestic and foreign bottlers, and to the trust of all national and international operators who continue to believe and invest in the intrinsic values of territory, certification and traceability that define our Pinot Grigio DOC,” he says.

“No less significant is the role of largescale distribution and, therefore, the choice of the global consumer, who is capable of appreciating the product and its unique characteristics compared to other world productions of the variety.” The consortium consistently monitors winemaking activities within the DOC, concerning things such as permitted yields, with measures relating to the imminent 2023 production season having already been set. A maximum allowance of 16 quintals/ha, with 30 quintals/ha stored, per producer, excluding organic products and SQNPI (National Quality System of Integrated Production), will ensure the continued quality and reputation of DOC delle Venezie wines.

Below, Patrick Schmitt MW provides his tasting notes for three gold medal-winning wines from the Global Pinot Grigio Masters 2023.

PINOT GRIGIO DOC DELLE VENEZIE

Producer: Albino Armani Viticoltori dal 1607

Vintage: 2022

Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Grigio

ABV: 13%

Residual sugar: 4.76g/l

Approx. retail price: £12

Medal: Gold

Hailing from the highly respected Pinot Grigio producer Albino Armani comes this gently creamy, pale white wine packed with juicy pear and ripe apple fruit, complemented by a fine chalky grip and hint of bitter lemon to bring this drop to a pleasing and refreshing close.

P.LEX PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE DOC ORGANIC

Producer: Botter Spa a socio unico

Vintage: 2022

Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Grigio

ABV: 12%

Residual sugar: 6.8g/l

Approx. retail price: £25

Medal: Gold

Quite a full-bodied and intensely-flavoured organic Pinot Grigio from the Venezie DOC that’s bursting with juicy apple and pear fruit, complemented by a candied orange note and a fine dusting of dry tannin on the finish to make you salivate.

PINOT GRIGIO DOC DELLE VENEZIE

Producer: Az. Agricola Ca’ di Rajo s.s.

Vintage: 2022

Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Grigio

ABV: 13%

Residual sugar: 6g/l

Approx. retail price: £13

Medal: Gold

A fine Pinot Grigio from a family-owned winery in the Veneto, the Ca’ di Rajo secured high scores from the judges for its juicy midpalate and zesty finish, as well as layers of flavours, from peach and grapefruit to orange, complemented by a touch of bitter almond.