Soave is known to many wine lovers, but is often underestimated. That is a gross mistake! Grown on hillsides or steep slopes on volcanic soil, Soave can be wonderfully complex, full of finesse and long-lasting.
The Soave growing area is located to the east of Verona, around the villages of Soave, Monteforte d'Alpone and San Bonifacio. The vineyards range from the plain up to the first hills of the Alps. While in the valleys we find soils with a rich limestone content, the hills consist of the remains of an extinct volcano. The wines from the limestone soil are more fragrant, finer and more elegant. Those from volcanic soils are fuller, show riper fruit notes and develop more slowly. Soave is mainly made from the Garganega grape, a variety that is only found here and in neighbouring areas. It ripens late - usually in the first half of October, and is characterised by a delicate fragrance. The second important grape is the small-berried Trebbiano di Soave. In recent years, 33 special vineyards have been classified in the Soave region, which are now officially allowed to appear on the label.
Stefano Inama was one of the quality pioneers of Soave. However, with the arrival of his three sons, Matteo, Luca and Alessio, the business really took off and has now earned him first place in the Soave Trophy: "I Palchi" is an ambitious project for a super Soave. The grapes from the oldest vines in the Foscarino vineyard are carefully selected and processed separately. The wine matures partly in wood and partly in steel tanks. A truly refined wine.
Prà's "Colle Sant'Antonio" came in second place. Graziano Prà cultivates around 40 hectares of Soave. The fruit canes for Colle Sant'Antonio are cut at the beginning of September and the grapes remain on the vine for another four weeks. The result is a deliciously complex Soave. Graziano Prà is also a keen advocate of the screw cap.
Another exceptional Soave follows in third place. The grapes for Sandro and Claudio Gini 's "Contrada Salvarenza Vecchie Vigne" come from ungrafted vines that are over a hundred years old. The result is an inspiring white wine!
The varieties:
The main variety for Soave is Garganega. It must have a minimum content of 70 percent, but a Soave can consist only of Garganega. The variety ripens late and produces bright golden berries when fully ripe. It produces fragrant, long-lived wines. Trebbiano di Soave and/or Chardonnay may be present to the extent of 30 percent.
The area:
The Soave growing region is located in Veneto, east of Verona. At the centre are the three municipalities of Soave, Monteforte d'Alpone and San Bonifacio. A distinction must be made between valley and hillside locations. Hills only may bear the addition "Classico".
