Velletri

The Protected Designation of Origin "Velletri" includes the wines White, Red, Superior, riserva and spumante.

Grapes

The composition of the vineyards from which the grapes used in the production of Velletri Bianco come must respect the following quotas: maximum 70% of Malvasia (both Candia and Puntinata, alone or in combination), minimum 30% of Trebbiano toscano, Trebbiano verde and Trebbiano giallo, and maximum 20% of other white grapes suitable for cultivation in Lazio. For Velletri Rosso, on the other hand, Sangiovese (from 10% to 45%), Montepulciano (from 30% to 50%), Cesanese comune and/or di Affile (minimum 10%) and any other non-aromatic red grapes suitable for cultivation in Lazio (maximum 30%) are required.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The "Velletri" Bianco (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume 11% vol.) is a wine with a more or less intense straw colour, associated with a vinous, pleasant, delicate and fruity aroma and a flavour that can be dry, sweet or sweet. In the Superiore variant, the characteristics remain the same, with only a slight increase in alcohol content (11,50% vol.). Velletri Rosso (11,50% vol.), on the other hand, has a ruby red aspect, always with different degrees of intensity, which in the Riserva version tends towards garnet; the aroma is vinous and intense, combined with an ethereal perfume in the Riserva; the taste can be dry or sweet and the palate is velvety, harmonious and rightly tannic. Finally, the sparkling wine has a straw yellow aspect, enriched by persistent, dense and continuous foam; the aroma is characterized by a clean and elegant bouquet, with notes of yeast, beer and ripe fruit; the taste is dry, with good body and persistence.

Grape production area

The production area covers the territory of only three municipalities, all in the province of Rome.

Specificity and historical notes

Since ancient times, the wine of Velletri has received praiseworthy quotations, such as that of Pliny the Elder, who describes it as a very generous wine, or as the mentions included in the "Statuta civitatis velitrarum" or in the "Istoria della Chiesa, e Città di Velletri" (Borgia).