Lison-Pramaggiore is a DOC (originally established in 1971) of the Veneto wine region in north-eastern Italy. It is a synthesis of the Tocai-based white wines once sold as Tocai di Lison and the red Cabernet blends sold as Cabernet di Pramaggiore. The merge happened in September 1985 and took effect as of the 1986 vintage. More recently was the reinstatement of the Tocai-specific Lison title, this time as a full DOCG, in December 2010.
The Lison-Pramaggiore portfolio has expanded beyond its original red-and-white duo, and covers all manner of styles including several varietals, rosso and bianco (red and white) blends, foaming spumante and semi-sparkling frizzante, youthful-styled, early-drinking novello and high-quality, aged riserva.
Lison-Pramaggiore Bianco is based on the area's viticultural cornerstone, Tocai Friulano, which is now known as Tai to avoid confusion with the sweet wines made in Tokaj, Hungary. The variety must make up 50–70% of the final blend, according to the DOC laws. Its counterpart Lison-Pramaggiore Rosso relies on 50–70% Merlot for its core and, like the red Lison-Pramaggiore varietals, can earn the title riserva if it is aged for two years before its commercial release.
The DOC's varietal wines reflect the forward-looking element of Italian winemaking. Just as Garda, on the other side of Veneto, was introduced to cater to the world's demand for varietally labeled wines, so Lison and Pramaggiore joined forces and expanded into this market. The reds include Bordeaux grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Erstwhile Bordeaux stalwart Carmenere, now increasingly popular in other areas of north-eastern Italy, is conspicuous by its absence here. The whites include Pinots Bianco and Grigio, local Verduzzo, two kinds of Riesling (true Riesling and Riesling Italico) and the ever-popular French pairing of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Lison-Pramaggiore title covers the communes of Annone Veneto, Cinto-Caomaggiore, Gruaro, Fossalta di Portogruaro, Pramaggiore and Teglio in the Venezia province, Meduna di Livenza in the Treviso province and Chions, Cordovado and Pravisdomini in the Pordenone province. A number of other surrounding communes fall partially within the catchment area, but those listed above are covered in their entirety.
