As I travel across the regions of the Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, researching or leading our tours, I am consistently amazed by the huge variety of wines available there. Not only does there seem to be a new DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) region, with its own traditional wines, remarkable terroir and distinctive wine making style around every corner, but an amazing number of them are relatively, if not completely, undiscovered in the US.

Back home, I can perhaps find a few Valpolicellas and Amarones from the Veneto – the latter being, frankly, often overpriced when they run about $60 per bottle. On our adventures in Italy, we enjoy a wonderful Amarone at 18 euros a bottle. I see a few Pinot Grigios and an occasional Soave, but not too many other choices.