he Colli Berici (Berici Hills) begin to rise gently from the plain only a short distance from the southern edge of Vicenza. The microclimate is so mild that olives and oleanders flourish in the area. Environmental conditions are so favorable that vines grow lushly in the district and documents of the 13th century repeatedly observed that the hills were covered with vineyards.
The Colli Berici Denominazione di Origine Controllata discipline applies to eight different wines obtained from as many varieties, some traditional to the zone, others introduced after the phylloxera epidemic of the last century. Among them, the Tocai Rosso deserves special mention. It appears that it was introduced into the district from Hungary during the period in which the northeastern part of Italy was subject to the rule of Maria Theresa. However, the variety most widely diffused in the Colli Berici is the Garganega, followed by Merlot, which, in recent years, has expanded considerably so that it seems destined to surpass Tocai Rosso.
Altogether, the wines of the Colli Berici are going through a highly positive period. Production is increasing at every harvest and the wines are selling well both on the domestic and the international markets.
This page was written by Stefano Milioni. Background image and most photos in this section courtesy of Giuliano Bugialli, all right reserved (see Copyright and Credits).
he Colli Berici (Berici Hills) begin to rise gently from the plain only a short distance from the southern edge of Vicenza. The microclimate is so mild that olives and oleanders flourish in the area. Environmental conditions are so favorable that vines grow lushly in the district and documents of the 13th century repeatedly observed that the hills were covered with vineyards.