Veneto · DOC

Soave DOC

Soave DOC is Veneto's Garganega-led white from the hills east of Verona. The best bottles, from names such as Pieropan, Suavia and Pra, trade on citrus, almond, salt and quiet texture rather than overt oak or sweetness, especially in Classico vineyards.

25

Wines

From £10

Starting price

12

Retailers

Sub-zones

ClassicoDOC Colli ScaligeriDOC

Taste & Pairing

Taste Profile

Body 3/5
Tannin 1/5
Acidity 4/5
Sweetness 1/5

Key Flavours

Almond Almond
Citrusy fruit Citrusy fruit
Pear Pear
Apple Apple
Apricot Apricot
Chamomile Chamomile
Wet stones Wet stones
Flint Flint

Pairs With

Italian Risotto Italian risotto dishes for wine pairing on a transparent background British Fish & Seafood British Fish & Seafood signature plate, overhead Japanese Ramen & Noodle Soups Tonkotsu ramen, canonical dish of the Ramen & Noodle Soups section

Soave Wine Selection

8 selected wines

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Editorial

Soave Vintage Guide

Quality of Soave vintages

5 4 3 2 1
2012 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Healthy vineyards, strong day-night range and marked floral nuance.
'12
2013 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Lower quantity from spring rain, but good ventilation and excellent quality.
'13
2014 ★★★☆☆
Average · 3/5
Difficult cool rainy year, saved by mild sunny September and October.
'14
2015 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Hot dry summer; ripe fruit profile, lower acidity but good vineyard health.
'15
2016 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Classic year, healthy grapes, strong sugar-acidity balance and floral mineral profile.
'16
2017 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Difficult frost and drought year, but healthy grapes and full, robust wines.
'17
2018 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Positive year after wet pressure; healthy Garganega and good water reserves.
'18
2019 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Balanced, healthy smaller bunches after cold wet May and hot dry June.
'19
2021 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Great Consorzio harvest outlook; cool wet spring, preserved acidity, reduced yields.
'21

Chart ratings use Consorzio Soave denomination-specific vintage notes for 2012 to 2018, plus Consorzio harvest/news notes for 2019 and 2021. No denomination-wide source was found for 2020 or 2022 to 2025, so those years are left out.

How Soave is Made

Soave DOC is built around Garganega, recorded for this page at 70-100% of the blend. Chardonnay and Trebbiano di Soave, the local Verdicchio biotype, can complete up to 30%. The Consorzio also allows a small share of other neutral white Verona grapes inside that 30%. Base Soave can be released from December after harvest, while Classico and Colli Scaligeri wait until February. The Classico name is limited to Soave and Monteforte d'Alpone, the historic hillside core. Vines are trained by pergola veronese or espalier systems, with minimum planting density of 3,300 vines per hectare.

In-Depth Guide

Soave DOC is led by Garganega, which must make up at least 70% of the blend. Trebbiano di Soave, the local Verdicchio biotype, and Chardonnay can complete the remaining share.

Soave DOC is normally a dry white wine. The sweet, air-dried style belongs to Recioto di Soave DOCG, a related but separate denomination.

Soave Classico DOC comes from the historic hillside area around Soave and Monteforte d'Alpone. It has lower permitted yields and a later release date than base Soave DOC.

Basic Soave DOC is usually best young, but top Classico bottlings can age for years. Pieropan Calvarino vertical tastings show Garganega retaining freshness, chalky texture and almond detail over time.

Soave DOC works with shellfish, Venetian seafood risotto, asparagus, young Asiago and lighter poultry dishes. Its acidity and almond finish are more useful than heavy oak or sweetness.

Soave is the denomination and Garganega is its principal grape. A bottle labelled Soave DOC may include Trebbiano di Soave or Chardonnay, but Garganega defines the style.

On the table

What to eat with Soave

Curated cuisines, sections and dishes, from the home-country classics to global pairings that work.

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