Wine Denomination from Veneto
Colli Asolani DOCG is a wine appellation from the Treviso province in Veneto, centered on the hills surrounding the historic town of Asolo. The denomination covers a range of wine styles based primarily on the Glera grape, the variety used for Prosecco production, and is closely related to the Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG designation. The Colli Asolani appellation encompasses both sparkling and still wine production from the picturesque hillside vineyards of the Asolani hills, a landscape characterized by steep terraced slopes, ancient geological formations, and a rich history of viticulture dating back to Roman times. The Asolani hills are renowned for their scenic beauty and cultural heritage, and the wines produced on their slopes reflect the unique combination of soils, altitude, and microclimate that defines this part of Veneto. The DOCG recognition confirms the quality and distinctive character of wines from this geographically defined zone.
The Colli Asolani DOCG production zone is situated in the western portion of the Treviso Prosecco hills, encompassing the municipalities on and around the Asolani range in the province of Treviso. The zone includes Asolo and a group of surrounding communes, covering a defined geographic area that corresponds to the historical Colli Asolani wine production territory. Vineyards are planted on steep to moderately steep hillside terrain, with elevations ranging from approximately 100 to over 400 meters above sea level. The hilly topography creates a mosaic of vineyard exposures, microclimates, and soil types that contribute to the diversity and complexity of wines produced within the zone. The landscape is characterized by terraced vineyards, ancient farmhouses, and woodlands, forming a traditional Venetian agricultural landscape that is both visually distinctive and viticulturally significant.
The Colli Asolani DOCG primarily uses Glera as its principal grape variety for Prosecco-style sparkling wines, which must constitute a minimum of 85% of the blend. Permitted complementary varieties include Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga, as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Nero vinified as white. The appellation also permits the production of wines from other specific varieties including Manzoni Bianco and other locally authorized white grapes under specific typology designations. Glera is an ancient Veneto variety with a naturally fresh aromatic profile and good acidity, making it highly suitable for sparkling wine production. In the Asolani hills, Glera benefits from the altitude and soil diversity of the zone, developing a finesse and mineral complexity that distinguishes wines from the Colli Asolani from those of lower-altitude Prosecco productions.
Colli Asolani DOCG sparkling wines are produced using the Charmat method (Metodo Martinotti), in which the secondary fermentation takes place in sealed pressurized tanks rather than in individual bottles. This approach preserves the fresh, primary fruit aromas of the Glera grape and produces a wine with fine, persistent perlage. The base wine is fermented from the freshly pressed must, then refermented in autoclave with selected yeasts and sugar to achieve the desired effervescence. Still wines within the appellation, where produced, follow standard white wine vinification methods. Maximum grape yields per hectare are regulated to ensure concentration and quality. The minimum pressure for sparkling wines and the permitted sweetness ranges (Brut, Extra Dry, Dry) are established by the disciplinare. Wines are generally intended for young consumption to preserve their freshness and aromatic character.
Colli Asolani DOCG sparkling wines present a pale straw yellow color with greenish highlights and fine persistent bubbles. The aromatic profile is fresh and elegant, with dominant notes of golden apple, pear, white peach, and apricot, accompanied by delicate floral notes of white flowers, wisteria, and acacia. A subtle mineral note, reflecting the varied and ancient soils of the Asolani hills, may also be present in some examples. On the palate, the wine is light, crisp, and refreshing, with vibrant natural acidity that balances the fruit character. The Extra Dry style carries a delicate residual sweetness that enhances the fruit aromas. The finish is clean, slightly almond-tinged, and refreshing. Still wines from the zone show similar fresh fruit and floral characteristics in a non-sparkling format, with perhaps greater concentration and mineral expression than the sparkling versions.
The Asolani hills are a geographic feature of significant cultural and viticultural importance in the Treviso province of Veneto. The hills rise from the northeastern Veneto plain and are composed of a variety of geological substrates, including moraine deposits from Quaternary glaciation, calcareous formations, clay, volcanic tuffs, and sandy materials. This geological diversity creates a complex mosaic of soil types across the hillside vineyards, which contributes to the aromatic and structural variety of wines produced within the zone. The town of Asolo, perched on a hilltop within the zone, was historically a retreat for Venetian nobility and Renaissance artists and writers, contributing to the area's rich cultural heritage. The climate is continental with some Alpine influences, characterized by warm summers, cold winters, and meaningful diurnal temperature variation during the growing season.
Colli Asolani DOCG is governed by a disciplinare that establishes requirements for grape composition, production methods, wine typologies, and quality standards. The regulations specify minimum Glera content for sparkling wines, permitted complementary varieties, maximum yields, minimum alcohol content, and pressure requirements for sparkling typologies. All wines must pass chemical analysis and organoleptic evaluation before receiving DOCG certification. The production zone is precisely delineated to include municipalities with documented historical association with quality Colli Asolani wine production. The DOCG status, shared with the Asolo Prosecco Superiore designation within the same geographic area, reflects the recognition of this zone as one of the premier hillside Prosecco and still white wine production areas in Veneto, with a character and quality level that distinguishes it from the broader, lower-quality Prosecco DOC production of the plains.