Venezia is the Italian name for the city of Venice (and the province in which it is located). It is also of the wine DOC the area was granted in December 2010. Wines labeled as DOC Venezia appeared on shelves as of the 2011 vintage, and indicated a thoroughly modern, varietal-led appellation, well-tuned to the demands of the modern wine consumer. This applies to the DOC's direction as well as its potential output: it covers both the Venezia and Treviso provinces in their entirety. Venezia is by far the largest DOC in Veneto, and in northern-eastern Italy as a whole. The effect this has on the eventual quality of Venezia wines remains to be seen.
As is increasingly the case with Italian DOCs, particularly newer ones and those located in the northern half of the peninsula, Venezia goes beyond the traditional red and white (rosso and bianco) wines. It still offers these standard blends, but complements them with three red varietals (Bordeaux's Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot) and two whites (northern Italy's flagship Pinot Grigio and the ever-popular Chardonnay).
The blended rosso has a minimum base of 50% Merlot, while its bianco counterpart has an uvvagio of Verduzzo (both Friulano and Trevigiano are permitted) with an optional addition of Glera (or Prosecco as it is better known).
There is even a Venezia Rosato to fill the middle ground between the bianco and rosso wines. It comes in still, lightly sparkling frizzante and foaming spumante forms. The wine may be labeled either with the Italian word rosato or the French word rose, demonstrating just how widespread the latter form has become, and how it is internationally preferred over the English variants 'pink' and 'blush'. All Venezia Rosato wines are based on eastern Veneto's flagship red-wine grape Raboso, and both Raboso Piave and Raboso Veronese forms are sanctioned for use. Alone or together, they must constitute at least 70% of the final blend.
