Pieropan, Soave Classico

Country: Italy  Region: Veneto  

Varietal: Garganega / Trebbiano di Soave Vintage: 2023

Category: White Wine  Style: Dry

Producer: Pieropan

"Pieropan's estate covers 46 hectares of vineyard which are situated on the stony hills of Soave Classico. The Pieropan family has been producing wines in Soave since the 1890s. Indeed, they were the first producer to bottle a wine with the name Soave on the label in the early 1930s. Nino Pieropan took over from his father in 1970 and was the first producer in Soave to make a single vineyard wine, 'Calvarino', in 1971. Nino's two sons, Andrea and Dario, now work with him running the estate. From the 2015 vintage onwards, all Pieropan wines are organically certified.

The Soave Classico has the richness and zest that makes this such an attractive wine. It is scented and beautifully defined, with hints of honeysuckle and almond on the finish. Pieropan is, of course, most famous for their two single vineyard wines: 'Calvarino', owned by the family since 1901, is on the classic volcanic basalt of Soave Classico; while 'La Rocca' is situated on the only limestone outcrop in the zone. The former is unoaked and minerally and reminiscent of good Chablis, while the latter, fermented in 500 litre barrels, is rich and opulent. 'La Rocca' has won a Gold medal for six years at the International Wine Challenge. Such consistency is rare, but it is what we would expect from Pieropan.

While they are known for their whites, the Pieropan family is now making some of the best Valpolicella and Amarone from their 16 hectare property in the Val d'Illasi (to the west of Soave Classico) which they bought in 1999. Their Valpolicella is fresh, scented and attractive, while the Amarone is similarly elegant and perfumed. Both are getting better each year, as the vines mature and the hand in the cellar acquires greater certainty."

Closure: Stelvin Lux  ABV: 12%