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Italy: The Veneto
Nestled in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains, the Treviso area of the
Veneto region north of Venice promises pedalers miles of canal-lined
stradines (small roads) through ancient villages and along gentle rolling
hillsides. Scattered with olive trees, cornfields and terraced vineyards,
this is where most of the world's prosecco grapes grow to create Italy's
beloved sparkling wine called prosecco. The bubbly was made famous by the
Bellini cocktail (prosecco and fresh white peach juice), created in the
1930's at a Harry's Bar in Venice. Other Veneto favorites include Soave, Valpolicella,
amarone and grappa.
The Veneto, Italy's third-largest wine producing region, reaches from the
Austrian and Slovenia borders to Lake Garda, near Verona. Rustic,
well-maintained roads link tiny, tidy villages with hilltop piazzas to
fertile valley and flat, tranquil farmland. Popular with cyclists is the
28-mile Strada del Vino prosecco (the prosecco wine route), from the
castle-top town of Conegliano to Valdobbiadene, along the Piave River.
The mostly paved two-lane road passes a 16th-century waterfall-powered mill
in Refrontolo and the Vini Tonon winery in Vittorio Veneto. In
Valdobbiadene, brut and pinot nero prosecco pour generously at the Bisol,
Carpenč Malvolti, Mionetto Vineyards and Nino Franco wineries. There are
plenty of bed-and-breakfasts along the way for overnight stays.
Treviso is also the region's largest sparkling wine producer, home to two
top winemakers, Azienda Agricola Il Moletto and Azienda Agricola Liasora.
It is a quaint town flowing with rippling canals, flower-lined palaces and
charming cafes and bars serving late afternoon chilled, fizzy sparkling
wine and locally made Morlacco, Casatella and caciotta cheese. At dinner,
refuel with rich Venetian cuisine, like fragrant risotto, creamy polenta,
homemade pastas and fresh shellfish.
From New Work Times
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