Situated between Vicenza and Verona, the fascinating volcanic terroir of Lessini Durello DOC is starting to produce some extremely interesting sparkling wines. A younger generation of drinkers seeking to explore [Italian](/country/italy) bubbles beyond Prosecco and [Franciacorta](/appellation/franciacorta-docg) is finding plenty to enjoy in the wine’s characteristic crisp and steely style. Their naturally vivacious character is the perfect accompaniment to the seafood antipasti of the Veneto. That being said, Durello, made from the [Durella](/durella) grape, is a divisive wine. The key variety, [Durella](/durella), whose name probably derives from the [Italian](/country/italy) word for tough, doesn’t mislead observers. It is in fact a difficult, thick skinned grape prone to aggressive levels of acidity. In the wrong hands it can produce notably rough wine. Detractors also point to the difficulty with which the wines seem to accumulate fruit character and this is not an unfair observation. Even at their best, [Durella](/durella) based wines pair a mineral character with subtle lemon flavours and white flowers and rarely anything beyond this.