2025 Ai Galli Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

Azienda Agricola Ai Galli Di Buziol, situated in the charming region of Veneto, they harmoniously blend tradition, passion, and innovation. With a history deeply rooted in winemaking, Ai Galli Di Buziol has become a beacon of excellence in producing exceptional wines that showcase the character and essence of the land

The winery's vineyards are meticulously cultivated, with great attention to detail and a profound respect for nature. The unique microclimate, diverse soil compositions, and a gentle breeze from the nearby Adriatic Sea create an optimal environment for the cultivation of their grapes.

The mountainous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is located in the most northeastern tip of Italy, bordering Austria and the former Yugoslavia. Wine has traditionally played a significant role there, due to its important location and contacts with overseas trading partners. Over the centuries, the region has built up a very good reputation among wine connoisseurs. Today the region has 2 major DOCs, that of the Collio Goriziano, or simply Collio, an area that covers a large part of the region, and that of the Colli Orientali del Friuli, north of the city of Udine. Both DOCs include red, white and rosé wines. In addition, there are 8 smaller DOCs and the region recently obtained DOCG status for the Ramandolo. A sweet golden yellow wine with a minimum alcohol content of 15%, produced in the province of Udine from Verduzzo Friulano.

Vineyards

A total of 19,000 acres are planted with blue and white grapes. Although the soil and climate are very suitable for the production of white wines from both international (Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon) and indigenous grape varieties (Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, Tocai Friulano and Picolit), the region also produces some good red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Refosco and Schioppettino. These last two grape varieties can produce very intense wines that are suitable for drinking with stews, game dishes and various mature cheeses.

The vineyards of the DOC Isonzo del Friuli are mainly located along the river of the same name, practically from Gorizia to its mouth in the Adriatic Sea. The landscape here is flat and the soil is clayey. Fragrant white and red wines are produced from Tocai, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot and Cabernets respectively.

The area where one of the strangest wines of Friuli is made is the area around Trieste. A strong red Refosco wine is made here on a calcareous soil. The high acidity is highly appreciated by the locals, but can often seem sharp to untrained taste buds. The wine smells of wild flowers and berries and works well as an accompaniment to various stews (often consumed in the region with goulash).

Grapes

International grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinots and Merlot set the tone in the wine production of the DOC Grave del Friuli. The soil here, just like in the 'Graves' of Bordeaux, is richly strewn with boulders, which have the property of storing heat and releasing it to the vines at night. The most prized vineyards are located on the so-called 'magredi' (poor soil). The white wines that come from there can be remarkably fruity and fresh, while very beautiful and soft Merlots are also made as well as robust Cabernet and Refosco wines.

Wines

The main wine production takes place in the southeast of the region. Under the DOC Friuli Annia, mainly white wines are made on the sandy clay soil, but also some red wines. Both from international and indigenous grape varieties. The same applies to the wines under the DOC Friuli Aquileia where the production of white wine is dominated by the Pinot's and the red by the Merlot, which produces light soft wines. Schioppettino wines are generally more powerful in character and can be kept longer.

The wine made under the DOC Lison Pramaggiore, in the southwestern part of the Region, shares its DOC with the Veneto. Red wines are made mainly from Merlot and Refosco and white wines from Tocai and Sauvignon, among others.

The Veneto, known for its imaginative Venice and Lago di Garda. The varied landscape of the Veneto stretches from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea and includes mountains, hills, lakes, river valleys, plains and coastal areas.

More information about Veneto

In the field of wine production, the Veneto stands for both quantity and quality. With an annual production of about 9 million hectoliters from 75,000 hectares of vineyard, this region is number 1, closely followed by Apulieum; and Sicilium ;.

The quality is expressed in the allocation of the number of classifications: the region has 2 DOCGs and 19 DOCs. However, two thirds of the total wine production falls under the 9 IGTs of the region. This means that in addition to a large number of quality wines, the Veneto is also a major producer and exporter of relatively cheaper and easily drinkable wines. In the region almost all types of wine are represented: young white and red wines, a considerable amount of sparkling wines, solid red wines and finally the passiti, within which the Recioto di Soave even enjoys the status of DOCG.

The most famous wines are undoubtedly the Soave, the Valpolicella and the Bardolino. All three come from the westernmost part of the region, around the city of Verona and Lake Garda. The first is a dry white wine based on the Garganega, in combination with the Trebbiano di Soave. Large quantities of it are produced and exported. As with the Valpolicella and the Bardolino, the quality can be quite different, although there have been significant successes across the board in terms of quality in recent years.

The best dry Soave's are usually found at the winemakers who also score high with the sweet DOCG version of the Soave, the Recioto di Soave. A beautiful golden yellow wine, made from partially dried grapes from the Garganega, supplemented with a maximum of 30% Trebbiano di Soave and / or Chardonnay and / or Pinot blanc. The dry Soave has a slightly bitter aftertaste and is a suitable accompaniment for various fish dishes and seafood.

The Valpolicella, from the area around the village of the same name between Verona and Lake Garda, is a blend of various grape varieties of which the Corvina Veronese and the Rondinella form the main basis. The result, as mentioned, varies in quality, but in general the Valpolicella can be characterized as soft, full and dry, which makes it a good accompaniment to many meat and pasta dishes.

Information about The Amarone della Valpolicella

The Amarone della Valpolicella is a phenomenon in itself: the late harvested grapes are placed on reed mats to dry in the sun, or hung in well-ventilated areas, so that the grapes largely dry out while the sugars are preserved. The grapes are not pressed until January and a sugar- and extract-rich must is produced. The final result is a powerful red wine that can achieve an alcohol content of approximately 15% due to the overall fermentation of the grape sugars. In addition to the high alcohol content, the wine is characterized by an intense bouquet and a full, complex structure with a pleasant bitterness ('amaro'). Fits well with game and hearty meat dishes, as well as with matured cheeses and is very suitable for bottle aging. When the grape sugars are not completely converted into alcohol, this is called a Recioto di Valpolicella: a sweet red dessert wine with an alcohol content of at least 14%.

Information about The Bardolino

The Bardolino, also from the hills around Verona, is also gaining fame. The Bardolino Superiore and the Bardolino Classico Superiore are now even allowed to put DOCG on the label. These are ruby red wines that must have at least 12% alcohol and must have had wood aging for 1 year before being placed on the market. They are dry, slightly bitter, but very delicate wines that can be drunk with various light meat dishes, but also with antipasti based on meat and cheese. In addition to the Bardolino Superiore, people also know the increasingly popular Bardolino Novello and the Bardolino Chiaretto. The latter is partially prepared without grape skins and owes its light cherry-red color. Both should be drunk young and slightly chilled.

The Bianco di Custoza, also from the Verona area, is made from Garganega and Trebbiano Toscano, among others. It is a fresh, slightly spicy white wine that is gaining fame, not only in Italy itself but also beyond.

Another 'given' in the Veneto is the Proscecco, which comes from the northeastern part of the region, around the villages of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, and is made from the grape variety by the same name. Although there are also sweet varieties, most Proseccos are dry and almost always sparkling to a greater extent (in the form of a Spumante) or to a lesser extent (in the form of a Frizzante). The inhabitants of the Veneto like to enjoy this fresh white wine as an aperitif or with various salads and light fish dishes.

Two areas that are gaining popularity in wine production are the Colli Berici, for its creditable wines from international grape varieties, and the Colli Euganei, where ever better red and white wines are produced from native grape varieties. The Gambellara is made in the Vicenza area, east of Verona. A soft dry white wine with a nice bitter aftertaste. Drink as aperitif or as a companion to various fish dishes, salads and light meat dishes.

Finally, we mention the Torcolato: a beautiful velvety golden yellow sweet wine from dried grapes with a rich bouquet and a delicate taste with notes of honey and almond. The Torcolato falls under the DOC Breganze.