The Euganean Hills' Fior d'Arancio route is an itinerary that will take you to discover the natural and cultural beauty of this wine region.
The Euganean Hills thermal are wordlwide known not only for their renowned thermal waters but also for the Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG a wine that can be found in three versions: still, passito or sparkling.
Fior d'Arancio is a sweet and original wine, exclusive to the Euganean Hills, which received the DOCG appellation in 2011, a recognition that highlights the unique characteristics of the grape variety with which it is produced. This denomination is of great relevance because it recognises the production environment and the uniqueness of the product, placing Fior d'Arancio wine among the most distinguished Italian wines. Cultivation is only permitted in certain areas and winemaking operations must comply with the rules laid down in the regulations.
Thanks to the ideal microclimate for this type of cultivation and soils rich in red-scaled euglene marl, the wine variety received its recognition and was identified as Moscato Giallo in 1994; since then it has been protected by the Consorzio Vini Colli Euganei.
The grape variety is characterised by medium-sized bunches with spheroidal berries with a thick, pruinose skin; it has a flesh that is sweet to the taste and slightly crunchy. It is a species of grape that prefers hilly calcareous soil rich in stones to produce a wine of good quality and consistency.
This wine has a very rich aromatic bouquet characterised by the terpenic compounds that give the grape a distinctive aroma. The quantity of these mixtures is significantly higher than in other aromatic grape varieties. These compounds are responsible for the taste-olfactory sensations defined as 'primary aroma'.
In the vinification of Fior d'Arancio, no special techniques are required to increase the aroma of the most, as these grapes naturally have high levels of terpene compounds in the Euganean Hills environment.
It is produced with grapes from Moscato Giallo varieties in quantities of no less than 95% and cultivated in the hills surrounding Abano and Montegrotto Terme, on soils of vulcanic origin located at altitudes ranging from 50 to 400 metres above sea level.
There are three types of Fior d'Arancio contemplated by the disciplinary:
- Fior d'Arancio Secco: has a delicate fragrance with citrus nuances and white flowers, particularly orange blossom. It is excellent as an aperitif and goes well with appetizers or smoky and aromatic dishes.
- Fior d'Arancio Spumante: appreciated for its straw-yellow colour with greenish reflections, fine and persistent perlage. It goes well with desserts and creams that exalt its aroma.
- Fior d'Arancio Passito: has nutmeg notes enriched by aromas of apricot, vanilla, raisins and honey. It pairs well with blue and mature cheeses, truffles, foie gras pâté and dry, spiced pastries.
Below you will find a detailed description of the itinerary that, starting from the Hotel Terme Millepini, will allow you not only to taste wine but also to discover some of the attractions of the surrounding area.
Leave the hotel and head towards the centre of Montegrotto for a tour of the archaeological area located in Via Scavi, a side street of Viale Stazione. From here you can continue towards Monteortone, where you can visit the Marian Sanctuary, which hosts important pieces of art dating back to the 15th century, and nearby the Monastery of San Daniele, which dates back to the 11th century. At this point you can make an unscheduled stop at the Osteria Volante in Torreglia for a snack and a first taste of Fior d'Arancio or other wines from the restaurant's cellar.
Resume your tour in the direction to Praglia, one of the best-known locations in the Euganean Hills where you will also find the abbey with its National Library and Renaissance church, cloisters, monumental rooms and wine cellar.
From here, continuing along footpaths you will reach Luvigliano and the famous Villa dei Vescovi with its vineyards and its Bistrot, which is part of the FAI heritage.
You will now proceed to Castelnuovo di Teolo from where you will be able to admire the panorama that extends as far as the Alps, visit Rocca Pendice, an important geological formation composed of trachyte walls and make a stop at La Piazzetta wine shop.
The tour moves on to Vo' Vecchio, an historical village bordering the Bisatto canal, from which you will reach Cinto Euganeo. Here you can visit the Cava Bomba Museum, which exposes fossils, stones, minerals, and artefacts on the geological history of the Euganean Hills, and the Vignaroda wine cellars or Villa Sheriman.
Before coming back to your hotel, you must visit Arquà Petrarca, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved villages in the Euganean Hills. You will be surrounded by the atmosphere that fascinated Francesco Petrarca, visit the house and finish the tour with a final toast either at the Sambin wine shop or in the Vignalta and Maeli cellars.
To facilitate the excursion click here and find the route to follow on Google maps both by car and by bike.