Veneto visit, any suggestions?

Wine friends,
Another opportunity has come up for me to visit one of the Italian wine regions. I will attend a conference in Venice from May 20th and will go there a few days in advance to visit some producers in Veneto, probably exclusively in the Valpolicella district. As always, all information, suggestions, recommendations and tips from you are most welcome.
Thanks, Anders

Anders,

When in Valpolicella, try to make contact with the small family producer, Villa Bellini; you will have a hard time finding better Amarone. You will also be near and in Verona. Once there, you will need few suggestions--great place to visit. But since you won't be extremely far from Lake Garda, try to get there and taste the wines in that area, especially Lugana whites, which you can get your hands on in Verona restaurants.

Right in Verona you can visit the Bolla headquarters. In Italy, Bolla releases finer wines than we often get in America, so it is worth a stop to their tasting facility. You might also try to arrange a visit to Pasqua just outside Verona--both low and high end wines here, all reasonable.

Thanks for the info, Thomas!
I have had some positive experiences of Lugana whites. I have even read a claim that their grape "Trebbiano di Lugano" is in fact really Verdicchio! I am not sure if this is correct, but if so, it would explain how the Lugana wines can be so good. I am unsure, however, if I, with the limited time I have available, will make the trip to Lake Garda.
Cheers, Anders

[Robin Garr]

Anders, ask me that in about two weeks: I leave Monday to judge at Vinitaly and will be in the Veneto, based in Verona, until early April. A lot of the time will be spent in the judging hall, alas, and stuck in the booths and corridors of Vinitaly, but we do have several days of wine touring in the region.

What I don't post from there (it looks like I'll be on metered dialup, mostly, ick), I'll surely report as soon as I get back!

Thanks for the info, Thomas!
I have had some positive experiences of Lugana whites. I have even read a claim that their grape "Trebbiano di Lugano" is in fact really Verdicchio! I am not sure if this is correct, but if so, it would explain how the Lugana wines can be so good. I am unsure, however, if I, with the limited time I have available, will make the trip to Lake Garda.
Cheers, Anders

The Rauscedo nursery says that Trebbiano di Soave is in fact Verdicchio, and I believe Trebbiano di Soave and T. di Lugana are the same. I like good Lugana very much.

Thanks for the info, Thomas!
I have had some positive experiences of Lugana whites. I have even read a claim that their grape "Trebbiano di Lugano" is in fact really Verdicchio! I am not sure if this is correct, but if so, it would explain how the Lugana wines can be so good. I am unsure, however, if I, with the limited time I have available, will make the trip to Lake Garda.
Cheers, Anders

The Rauscedo nursery says that Trebbiano di Soave is in fact Verdicchio, and I believe Trebbiano di Soave and T. di Lugana are the same. I like good Lugana very much.

Tracing Trebbiano is difficult. The grape is supposed to have been developed and introduced in the north in around the 13th century. It was an almost immediate success, producing elegant, lean wines that the nobility enjoyed. Of course, with success comes those who stake their claims on it...a little DNA trace should clear the matter.