When most people think of Prosecco, they imagine light, approachable, everyday bubbles. However, nestling in the northeastern Italian hills between Venice and the Dolomites lies an extraordinary winemaking landscape that redefines what sparkling wine from this region can truly be: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG.
In a recent virtual tasting with Andreola, we took a deep dive into the craft, philosophy, and extreme terroir driving this estate’s world-class sparkling wines. These bubbles deserve to be sipped alone, not as a mimosa or aperitivo.
The Heritage of Andreola: A Passion Born in the Hills
Founded in 1984 by Nazareno Pola on vineyard lands inherited from his family, Andreola is grounded in a deep passion for the land. Named in honor of Nazareno’s mother, Orsola Andreola, the winery was built on a singular ambition: to highlight and elevate the distinct terroir of Valdobbiadene.
Nazareno, a former professional cyclist, eventually traded his bike to fully devote his life to crafting exceptional wines. When his son, Stefano Pola, took over in 2010, he continued this foundational mission with a focus on precision, research, and terroir expression. Today, Andreola remains a family-owned estate dedicated to giving voice to the region’s diverse micro-terroirs.
DOC vs. DOCG: Understanding the Difference
You wouldn’t think a single letter means so much: But that “G” ABSOLUTELY does! A crucial takeaway about Prosecco is the understanding of the distinct difference between basic Prosecco DOC and Valdobbiadene DOCG:
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Prosecco DOC: Covers a vast, relatively flat plain across the Veneto region where mechanical harvesting and high yield production are common.
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Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG: A exclusive, highly regulated zone strictly limited to steep, sun-drenched hills.
Because of slopes that reach gradients of up to 70%, machinery simply cannot be used. Every single vine requirement; from pruning to harvest, must be done entirely by hand. To put this in perspective, flat-land Prosecco DOC requires roughly 150 hours of manual labor per hectare each year, whereas steep-hill Valdobbiadene DOCG requires up to 800 hours of intense manual labor per hectare! This practice is fittingly known as “Heroic Viticulture.” This dramatic topography earned the landscape recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
The Concept of Rive: Unlocking Single-Vineyard Terroir
At the heart of all Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG lies Glera. This green-skinned, late-ripening grape variety has thrived in the northeastern Italian hills for centuries. Known until 2009 simply as “Prosecco” (before the name was legally protected as a region rather than a grape variety), Glera is a semi-aromatic grape naturally endowed with high acidity, delicate floral perfumes, and vibrant orchard-fruit aromas like green apple, pear, and white peach.
Because Glera is a chameleon to its environment, it acts as a lens for terroir. When planted on flat plains with high yields, the grape can yield simple, light bubbles. However, when forced to struggle on the steep, nutrient-poor soils of Valdobbiadene, Glera restricts its yields and develops remarkable concentration, structural complexity, and distinct mineral nuance.
This is what makes the local concept of Rive so compelling. In local dialect, Rive refers to the steep, hand-farmed slopes of the DOCG hills. A Rive designation guarantees that 100% of the Glera grapes were hand-harvested from a single village or micro-plot, capturing the exact microclimate and soil profile of that specific hillside.
While many large producers blend Glera grapes across vast territories, Andreola manages roughly 112 hectares spread across more than 200 distinct blocks. This incredible mosaic of soil which ranges from ancient conglomerate rock and sea sand to pure marl, allows Andreola to showcase the versatility of Glera through eight distinct single-vineyard Rive cuvées.
Tasting through the Terroir: Featured Andreola Cuvées
Tasting these three distinct bottlings highlights how dosage, single-vineyard sites (Rive), and traditional blending showcase the breadth of Valdobbiadene DOCG.
1. Andreola Dirupo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
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Style & Composition: A classic blend composed of 90% Glera, 5% Bianchetta, and 5% Perera harvested from steep vineyards in the heart of the historic zone. It carries a balanced residual sugar of 8 g/L.
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Tasting Profile: The nose opens with delicate floral notes of hawthorn and acacia blossom alongside citrus, green apple, and white peach. On the palate, it delivers a creamy, fine perlage with a savory, well-rounded balance of energy and freshness.
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Pairing: Ideal as an aperitif, or paired with fresh pecorino, clams, fried calamari, or lemon-herb chicken.
2. Andreola Mas de Fer Rive di Soligo Extra Dry
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Style & Composition: 100% Glera sourced from a 5-hectare single-vineyard site sitting at 300 to 500 meters elevation in the Rive di Soligo. Grown on steep, southeast-facing calcareous conglomerate rock slopes, this wine carries 14 g/L of residual sugar.
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Tasting Profile: Thanks to high elevation and dramatic temperature swings, the grapes produce intensely aromatic monoterpenes. Expect a straw-yellow hue with pale green highlights, bursting with scents of white flowers, green apple, citrus, and ripe fruit salad. The palate is rich, lean, and creamy with a crisp, dry finish that balances sweet and savory elements.
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Pairing: Pairs nicely with soft cheeses like Taleggio, artisanal focaccia, shrimp tempura, or orange-glazed duck.
3. Andreola 26° I° Rive di Col San Martino Extra Brut
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Style & Composition: A pioneer in bone-dry Prosecco, this 100% Glera single-vineyard Rive comes from south-facing plots at ~400 meters elevation in Col San Martino, where soils consist of ancient conglomerate rock mixed with marl. Made with 0 g/L residual sugar, it set the standard for ultra-dry expressions in the region.
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Tasting Profile: Marked by pristine tension, energy, and minerality. The bouquet features white spring blossoms, lily, crunchy peach, and fresh apricot. On the palate, it exhibits a rich, creamy texture anchored by vibrant acidity and a clean, precise finish.
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Pairing: Outstanding with raw shellfish, oysters, seafood carpaccio, or refined savory appetizers.
Andreola is proving that Prosecco can be far more than just a casual, celebratory toast. It can be a serious, terroir-driven experience that rivals fine sparkling wines across the globe. By refusing to treat Glera as a single dimensional grape destined for mass production, Andreola demonstrate how subtle changes in slope, soil composition, and microclimate can transform what is in the glass.
This portfolio challenges wine lovers to slow down, look beyond the bubbles, and listen to the landscape. Whether you are sipping their classic, harmonious Dirupo blend or exploring the bone-dry precision of their single-vineyard Rive collection, every bottle offers more than just fine sparkling wine. It offers a true sensory invitation. It offers a vibrant, glass-by-glass reflection of the steep, heroic hills of Valdobbiadene.
~Slàinte!
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