I had a long conversations with the managers at the ‘Consorzio di tutela della Valpolicella’ (the ‘Consorzi di tutela’ are the offices whom purpose is the to protect the brands and stamps from misuses and frauds).

YES, apparently the DOCG for the Valpolicella appellation has been requested by the Consorzio to the region and state and it is now under review.

However things are not so simple where law and bureaucracy are involved!

First of all, we have to see IF the request is accepted.

Then the ‘how’s’: restrictions will be in vigor, so many producers have to work hard to be compliant. Then we have to understand that, yes, the DOCG will be assigned to the Valpolicella, but, as you know, there are two main appellations in this Veneto valley. The ‘Classico’ area which is the first historic area where the Valpolicella has always been produced and a larger area, including the ‘Classico’, just called Valpolicella DOC, which is a ‘newer’ area of production.

So, it is already a big fight here! Who will get the DOCG? Just the Classico, or both? Think of Chianti: the first DOCG has been assigned to all the 8 subzones of Chianti. Then, more recently, the Chianti Classico claimed and received its own DOCG. So, now there are two separate DOCG of Chianti: Chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG.

Will the history repeat itself for Valpolicella? Will all the Amarone bottles see the pink label (the government numbered label which tells the consumer that it is actually a DOCG), or only the ‘Amarone della Valpolicella Classico’?

We’ll see. I am personally very curios and I will stay tuned! It can only get more and more interesting!

Antonio