ROAD TRIP: Discovering Veneto & Alto Adige

By Jill Kwiatkoski, Sommelier (CAPS)

When you think of travelling to Italy, you may think of sitting in a little piazza sipping the perfect espresso, strolling down ancient cobblestone streets, eating the best pasta you will ever have, a romantic gondola ride down the canals of Venice, and all the Gucci and Versace you could dream of buying. And then there is all of the absolutely amazing Italian wines you will discover! But there is one thing that you should most definitely put at the top of your to-do list in Italy—and that’s DRIVE!

I planned a road trip to two of my favourite northern regions in Italy—Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige—and saw these regions in a completely new way. There were no organized bus tours or cruise ships on this ride—just the open Autostrada , ready to explore! Andiamo!

Arrivi

When touring Northern Italy, I suggest flying into Venice’s Marco Polo Airport and picking up your rental car there. This airport couldn’t be more tourist-friendly and easy to navigate. Set up the car’s navigation system—or, if you have a good co-pilot, use Google or Apple Maps—and off you go. As you set off, you need to come to terms with one thing: you will get lost at some point—and that’s okay. Getting lost is a matter of course when driving in Italy—it is extremely easy to miss a turnoff or ramp when you’re going 130 km/h! And getting lost in a little Italian town could turn into one of your favourite travel days. Those are the moments when you just roll with it and enjoy the adventure.

Veneto

Leaving Marco Polo Airport, head to the Autostrada, and you are soon in the heart of Veneto—the land of plenty. Veneto is a diverse region with mountains, lakes, and the sea. It is also home to so many famous cities: Padua (Padova), Vicenza, Verona, Treviso, and, of course, Venice.

Veneto produces the world’s largest quantity of Pinot Grigio, but it is also home to Valpolicella, Amarone, and Prosecco. The region has many draws: the Carnival of Venice, a festival that began in the 1100s, where people don extraordinary artistic masks and dance in Piazza San Marco; the waterways of Venice; the famed Romeo & Juliet balcony in Verona; and so much more. There is so much to see and do in Veneto that you could spend a lifetime exploring it.

The city of Padua is an extraordinary day trip. Park in one of the many lots on the edge of the city and enjoy the sights along the way to the city centre. Drink an Aperol Spritz (garnished with a slice of orange and green olives, of course)—where it was created in the 1950s as a fashionable afternoon cocktail—and experience art, history, music, museums, restaurants, and shops galore. The Palazzo della Ragione medieval town hall has amazing frescos, and the daily market hosts the city’s best bakers, butchers, fishmongers, and cheesemongers. And don’t walk past the grilled octopus food truck without stopping for a taste! Be sure to spare a couple of hours and walk through one of Italy’s most majestic basilicas: Basilica di Sant’Antonio di Padova.

WINE HIGHLIGHT:

Reassi by

Diego Bonato

Located just outside of Padua in the heart of the Colli Euganei hills, you will find this amazing family-run winery. The Bonato family’s organic vineyards produce varieties such as Pinella, Manzoni Bianco, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Taste these amazing wines, see the beauty of their land, and learn about their family’s 100-year winemaking history.

WINE HIGHLIGHT:

Cantina Girlan

Southwest of the city of Bolzano/Bolzen is a cooperative consisting of 200 wine-growing families with only 220 hectares of land among them (that’s just slightly bigger than the size of Assiniboine Park). This small community of growers helps head winemaker Gerhard Kofler create the awardwinning Girlan Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Pinot Bianco that will be hitting our shelves this spring!

Alto Adige

Now we point our car north to Alto Adige, a unique region that borders Switzerland and Austria. Surrounded by the magnificent snow-capped Dolomite Mountains, the drive through Trentino to Alto Adige is one of the most stunning in Europe. As you pass the small villages tucked into the side of a mountain, you notice that life and culture feel different here from other parts of Italy. With its heavily Germanic/Alpine influence, you will swear you are not in Italy anymore. It is truly incredible to see how the cultures blend and watch the architecture, food, and wine shift to Alpine styles. It’s like visiting three countries in one! Most of the locals speak both German and Italian, though German is actually more dominant. Even wineries use both German and Italian names for grape varieties on the labels (Pinot Grigio is Grauburgunder in German). Alto Adige is also a haven for those who love to rock climb, kayak, cycle, and hike. The Dolomite Mountains are a playground for outdoor adventurers.

The mountains also greatly influence the grape varieties and wine styles that thrive here. The land is difficult to harvest on the edge of a mountain—and real estate is hard to come by. The quality and quantity of wine produced in Alto Adige are second to none. White grape varieties like Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay, and red varieties like Pinot Noir, Schiava, and Lagrein thrive in this region. The minerality, acidity, and freshness are unbeatable.

After spending a few days in the mountains, it is time to head south and back over to Veneto for the last leg of our road trip. After leaving the incredible mountain range of Trentino-Alto Adige, make the 2.5-hour journey to the impressive Cantina Giusti in the heart of Prosecco. The innovation and technology are mind-blowing. Owner Joe Giusti—a native of the area who spent the better part of his life in Calgary—has created the most sophisticated and advanced winery I have ever visited. He also shows deep respect for the land he grew up on and the people who tend the land and work in the winery. Make the stop at Cantina Giusti in Nervesa della Battaglia and you will be impressed by their spectacular country house bed and breakfast.

WINE HIGHLIGHT: Giusti Wine

We are honoured to carry an array of bubbles, whites, and reds from fellow Canadian Joe Giusti. His Proseccos (Rosalina white and rosé, Graziana, and Asolo) and Spumante are refreshing and vibrant. White blends like Bianco Sant Eustachio are perfect to sip on or pair with lighter dishes like appetizers, soft cheeses, and seafood dishes. His Valpolicellas and red blends (Antonio, Massimo, and Recantina) are robust, rich, and the perfect accompaniment to richer Italian cuisine.

Partenza

The drive back to the airport isn’t far, so leave time to explore the seaside along the way. Stop to eat some local seafood near the lagoon and take a detour to one of the amazing seaside towns before you make the lovely (and short!) drive back to Marco Polo Airport in Venice. You can return the rental car because you won’t need it for your last couple of days in Venice. It is time to stretch those legs and enjoy the beauty and wonder of Venice—strolling over the canals. That singing gondola ride is a great way to say arrivederci to your new favourite destination.

Buon Viaggio!