BAGNOLI DOC: A WINE APPELLATION YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF!
The wine world is a big place. A really, really big place.
This means that there are undoubtedly plenty of wine regions that many people, even the most enthusiastic of wine enthusiasts, have not heard of. This becomes even more magnified when you start talking about specific wine appellations and smaller wine regions.
As a reminder, or a primer for those who might not be as familiar with wine lingo, a wine region is loosely defined (by me) as a large area within which wine grapes are grown and wine is produced. A wine region may be as large as a province or political area or as small as a grouping of vineyards, and everything in between.
The term wine appellation, on the other hand, is used to specifically refer to a wine producing area that is defined by law or another authoritative body as a defined area, with distinctive qualities and often bound by requirements as to the wines that are produced there. Wine appellations are more specific, they are smaller and they are more prestigious than a broad, generic wine region.
This is why there are far more appellations than there are regions in the wine world and it is much harder to know them all.
Italy is one country where there are a LOT of different wine appellations. A lot of Italian wine, both red Italian wine and white Italian wine, is made in wine appellations and wine regions that a lot of people have never heard of and maybe never will hear of. This makes these wine regions all the more fascinating, especially if you are an italian wine lover and/or are developing a love interest with Italian wine, in all of its complex and beautiful forms!
To help you learn more, use the handy guide below to learn a little about an Italian wine appellation you’ve probably never heard of before, namely Bagnoli DOC!
BAGNOLI DOC: FAST FACTS
How do you pronounce the appellation name?
Bahn-yo-li.
It is also sometimes called Bagnoli di Sopra (bahn-yo-li-di-so-prah).
Where is this appellation located?
The Bagnoli DOC is located in the southern part of the Veneto region, flanked by the Adige river to the south and the Bacchiglione river to the north. It is located in a flat, plains area, not all that far from the Adriatic sea. Major cities nearby are Venice and Padua.
When was the appellation established?
1995. However, wine has been made here forever. Apparently, there are deep ties to monks and shipping vessels in this appellation.
What is the size of the appellation?
The Bagnoli DOC is fairly small, at 30 acres (as of 2019) or 12 hectares. The average level of production is approximately 5000 cases of wine per annum.
There are lots of different, very specific appellations nested within the Bagnoli DOC, which is fascinating given its small size!
What wine(s) is the appellation known for?
Wines made from the Friularo grape (Friularo is the local name for Raboso, an indigenous Italian grape variety). This is an ancient grape and these wines have their own DOCG (higher appellation) called Friularo D.O.C.G. which was granted official appellation status in 2011.
Friularo wines are known for being robust, complex and cellar worthy.
Principal grape varieties grown in the appellation
White - Chardonnay, Friulano, Marzemina Bianca, Sauvignon Blanc
Red - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Corbina, Merlot, Raboso, Refosco, Cavrara, Turchetta
What wines are produced here?
The appellation is approved for white, red, rose and sparkling wines. According to www.veneto.eu, there is a lengthy list of wines produced here, as follows:
Bagnoli Bianco, Bagnoli Classico, Bagnoli sparkling wine, Bagnoli rosato, Bagnoli classic rosé, Bagnoli sparkling rosé, Bagnoli Rosso, Bagnoli classic Rosso, Bagnoli Rosso reserve, Bagnoli classic Rosso Riserva, Bagnoli Cabernet, Bagnoli classic Cabernet, Bagnoli Cabernet reserve, Bagnoli classic Cabernet reserve, Bagnoli Merlot, Bagnoli classic Merlot, Bagnoli Merlot reserve, Bagnoli classic Merlot reserve, Bagnoli Friularo, Bagnoli classic Friularo, Bagnoli Friularo reserve, Bagnoli classic Friularo reserve, Bagnoli Friularo late harvest, Bagnoli classic Friularo late harvest , Bagnoli passito and Bagnoli classic passito.
If you want more details about the make up of some of these wines, check out this site: Italian Wine Central
To learn more about this interesting appellation, including touristic opportunities available for would-be visitors, be sure to visit the Bagnoli Consortia website!
I hope you found this little tour through the Bagnoli DOC interesting!
Cheers!
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