Soave Classico wines are producd in the traditional Classico vineyard zone --

of the Soave DOC in Veneto, nothern Italy.

 As with generic Soave, these are dry, still white wines made predominantly

(at least 70 percent) from Garganega grapes.

 In the past decade, Trebbiano Toscano and

Pinot Bianco have been removed from the official makeup of Soave wines,

leaving Chardonnay and/or Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio)

as the only other grapes specifically sanctioned for use.

 They may take up a maximum of 30 percent of the blend.

 Other white grapes permitted in the Veneto may account for up to 5 percent.

 As is the case with so many Italian DOCs

(well-known names like Chianti and Valpolicella among them),

the Soave viticultural area was dramatically expanded in the mid–late 20th Century.

 As the additional land rarely yielded the quality wine found in the classic production areas,

this led to a drop in the overall quality of wine made under the Soave name.

 To remedy this, and to create distinction between the quality levels,

the Soave Classico title was introduced.

 The intention is to highlight wines from the theoretically superior traditional terroir.

 The Classico zone runs eastwards from Soave town for a couple of kilometers,

as far as Monteforte d'Alpone.

 It extends northwards for perhaps 6 or 7km,

three quarters of the way to Montecchia di Crosara.

 The classico zone is not used for sparkling Soave Spumante.

 It does apply to the Recioto di Soave  and Soave Superiore DOCGs.