The north-east of Italy is an exciting source of wines that combine drinkability with definition. Shaped by altitude, cooling Alpine air and a long tradition of thoughtful co-operative and family winemaking, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia all excel at producing wines of clarity, balance and enjoyment. Quality is soaring and now is the perfect time to get to know these wines.
Sparkling success
Our latest selection starts with arguably this region's most successful style, The Society’s Prosecco, all pear-and-apple charm, but contrasted by the super on-trend Ferrari’s Maximum Blanc de Blancs Trentodoc, a reminder that traditional-method fizz from Trentino can rival far better-known names for poise and precision.
Hidden gems
While Soave, pinot grigio, Prosecco and Valpolicella may be familiar names, north-eastern Italy is also home to a host of lesser-known wines that reward exploration. From Friuli’s aromatic whites to the mountain reds of Alto Adige and Trentino, these bottles offer freshness, character, and a real sense of place. In Friuli, varieties such as ribolla gialla and Friulano combine bright citrus, gentle spice, and delicate floral notes, often with a copper or golden hue that hints at their textural richness. For those seeking reds with regional identity, rRefosco stands out: firm, earthy, and structured, with cherry and wild berry aromas that are lifted by savoury, mineral undertones.
High in the Alps, Trentino and Alto Adige offer reds that are rarely seen outside the region. Lagrein brings dark, juicy fruit with inky richness and a touch of spice, while vernatsch (Schiava) offers a lighter, aromatic alternative, fresh and fragrant with red berries. These wines are rooted in steep, cool vineyards, giving them a lift and vibrancy that make them equally at home with rustic Italian dishes or a more refined tasting experience. For anyone keen to explore Italy’s hidden corners and indigenous varieties, these wines are a perfect introduction – approachable yet intriguing, and full of personality.
A huge range of white wines
Whites form the backbone of our latest selection, and the range is deliberately broad. Soave appears in several guises, from bright, anyday classics to the layered, organic depth of our Exhibition bottling. The pinot grigio grape reveals its versatility too – crisp and clean in Veneto, and copper-hued and textured in Friuli. Elsewhere, Friulano, ribolla gialla and pinot bianco underline why the north-east remains such a fantastic source of food-friendly whites, while the likes of Vie di Romans’ Flor di Uis and Elena Walch’s Beyond the Clouds show how ambition and finesse can coexist with regional identity.
A red wine for everyone
The reds follow a similar arc, from fresh, supple everyday drinking Valpolicella, pinot nero and appassimento blends (where the grapes for part of the blend have been dried prior to fermentation) through to darker, more structured wines such as lagrein and refosco. Fittingly, we culminate with two expressions of Amarone, wines of concentration and authority that still retain freshness and balance.
Introducing Prà, Specogna and Elena Walch
From the volcanic slopes of Soave to the rolling hills of Friuli and the alpine vineyards of Alto Adige, three producers showcase the character and diversity of north-eastern Italy. Prà excels in Soave, where wines like the bright Otto, named after Graziano Prà’s beloved dog, combines vibrant fruit with subtle mineral depth.
In Friuli, Specogna highlights the importance of traditional winemaking with a textured, complex and savoury pinot grigio and aromatic yet complex refosco reflecting the freshness that comes from Colli Orientali. Further north, Elena Walch shapes wines of clarity and structure, from the crisp Pinot Bianco Kristallberg to the layered Beyond the Clouds, capturing the lift and poise of Alto Adige’s limestone slopes. Together, these estates demonstrate the range and finesse of the wider region’s wines, each reflecting its own site and style while sharing a commitment to careful, expressive winemaking.
Girlan and Mezzacorona: excellence through co-operation
In Alto Adige, co-operatives play a vital role in shaping the region’s wines, combining the efforts of many family growers to deliver both quality and consistency. Girlan, perched in the heart of the alpine foothills, brings together multiple small vineyards to produce wines of precision, elegance and site expression, while Mezzacorona, one of the largest and most established co-operatives, has long been a benchmark for reliable, well-crafted whites and reds across the region. These co-operatives demonstrate how collaboration can enhance both vineyard management and winemaking skill, allowing small growers to maintain tradition, care for the land, and produce wines that are expressive, balanced and distinctly Alto Adige in character.
Altogether, this is a snapshot of a part of Italy where definition, balance and regional character are paramount, and where reliability never comes at the expense of interest. To accompany this selection, we have also selected a few mixed cases that are a great place to start. I warmly invite you to explore the depth, diversity and enduring appeal of this confident corner of Italy.
