Veneto benefits from different microclimates divided among mountains, plains and lakes. There are many different appellations that express unique varietals and wines, each enjoying a particular location. White and red wines from the appropriate location, when treated properly with low yields, produce excellent wines. T he highest concentration of vineyards is still around Venice, where the vineyards find a fertile soil and relatively warm climate. Today, the Veneto region is the 3rd largest producer of wine in Italy, after Sicily and Apulia. As far back as the Middle Ages, Venice was a wealthy, powerful city and the center for the inland agriculture, including wine, that was traded with the most European cities of the time. Veneto was first settled by the Paleoveneti in the BC's and then became part of the Roman Empire like most of the Italian territory. The Roman Empire fuelled its legions with many people from the area, since they were thought to be good soldiers. After the end of the Roman Empire, Veneto was conquered by the Goti and Unni (the so called Barbarians) as the local population fled away from the cities looking for a safer place on the many islands in the region. That is how Venice was founded. In the middle ages Venice became one of the most powerful and rich cities in the world and has left many rests of its glamorous time and history. Ultimately Venice was conquered by Napoleon and then sold to Austria in exchange for Belgium. In 1866 after the defeat of the Austrian Empire it became part of Italy.