Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Region

Overview:   The zone encompasses a series of hill chains - running from east to west - which follow one after the other from the lowlands to the Pre-Alps, lying equidistant between the sheltering Dolomites to the north and the Adriatic, which has a positive effect on the climate and countryside.

While Conegliano plays host to famous wine institutes, Valdobbiadene is surely the zone’s productive heart.  The production zone comprises the territory of 15 communities and covers an area of approximately 18,000 hectares (approx. 45,000 acres) of cultivated land. Vines, however, are grown only on the south-facing slopes of the hills at an altitude of 50 - 500 metres (approx. 165 - 1650 ft.) above sea level, while the north-facing slopes are often covered with woods.

There are currently more than 4,300 hectares (approx. 9,750 acres) entered in the DOC Register which are worked by 5,000 producers. Of these hectares, 106 belong to Superiore di Cartizze which, every year, produces more than a million bottles of the finest sparkling wine.

The VInes:   Viticulture in the hills of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene dates back to ancient times evidenced by the work of man who has, over the centuries, sculpted the sunniest slopes. The Prosecco vine has been cultivated on these hills for over two hundred years.
Since the beginning of the XIX century, with the foundation of The School of Viticulture and Oenology and The Experimental Centre for Viticulture, both in Conegliano, research into this vine variety has greatly increased and the Prosecco has spread throughout the area.
The exact origins of this variety are somewhat of a mystery, but some would have it that it was, in fact, already known as the ‘Pucino’ in the time of the Roman Empire. The Empress Livia Augusta was particularly fond of the wine from this grape.

Five fundamental rules to be classifed as Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco

Grapes: must come from vineyards of the area delimited by law, which must be entered in the register of the Chamber of Commerce of Treviso, in which all cadastal data identifying the tracts of land are recorded.

Varieties: only Prosecco grapes (minimum 85%) and Verdiso, Perera, Bianchetta and Prosecco long grapes (maximum of 15%) are currently allowed;

Vinification: must be carried out according to the norms provided for in the Disciplinary Rules and can only take place in the communities within the DOC zone. The vinification of Cartizze is only allowed within the community of Valdobbiadene;

Bottling & Sparkling Wine Processes: may be carried out only in wineries within the Province of Treviso, and in Venice authorization;

Marketing: before bottling, each batch of wine must pass an organolectic examination carried out by commissions of oenologists from the Chamber of Commerce.

Five simple, but very precise rules, which every producer must respect if he wishes to avail himself of the ‘Conegliano-Valdobbiadene’ denomination, established to guarantee consumers a certified origin and excellent quality.
 

 Wine Regions Represented by MDM