White wine miracle from Veneto: a selection of the best drops
The northern Italian region produces the most white wine in Italy. The most exciting white wine here is Soave. Lugana is also produced in Veneto, but most of the production area is in Lombardy.
The Veneto region alone produces almost a third of Italy's white wine production - 9.5 million hectolitres to be precise. This is largely due to Prosecco DOC and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. A large part of the grapes for the approximately 700 million bottles per year grow in Veneto.
Soave, on the other hand, plays first fiddle with still wines, which is what we are talking about here. The hills around the towns of Soave and Monteforte d'Alpone are classic white wine country. The volcanic soils give the wines not only fullness but also tension and mineral complexity; in addition, Soave can age exquisitely. The main variety for Soave is Garganega, a local grape that ripens late. Representative of great Soave are three examples: Pieropan 's Vigneto Calvarino was first produced in 1974, making it Italy's first white single-vineyard wine. Gini' s Vigneto Salvarenza comes from vines that are over 100 years old. And I Palchi by Inama is a cuvée from the best sites on Monte Foscarino near Monteforte.
Lugana in lombardy
The Lugana area is located on southern Lake Garda and extends over two regions: Veneto and Lombardy. The local variety Turbiana is grown on the cool clay soils in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Lugana can be exciting and complex, and even after a long ageing still shows surprisingly fresh and appealing. The Lugana of Ca' dei Frati and of Zenato are the best proof of this.
Contrada Salvarenza Vecchie Vigne Soave Classico DOC - 95 Falstaff points
Gini, Monteforte
Bright straw yellow with a drop of light gold. On the nose first slightly fumé and after, some flint, then squeezed grapefruit, toasted almonds as well as a delicate touch of after acacia flowers, in the reverberation some blood orange. Opens on the palate with great breadth and juiciness, a golden and fruit core, emphatically textured mouthfeel, again juicy on the finish.
ginivini.com, 28 euros
I Palchi Foscarino Grande Cuvée Soave Classico DOC - 94 Falstaff points
Inama, San Bonifacio
Intense straw yellow with a drop of gold. On the nose initially with salty hints, then fine toasted wood, hazelnuts, quince, as well as some dried pineapple, also reminiscent of white chocolate in the aftertaste. The palate is very creamy, very fresh and very juicy, shows great balance and lots of tension, light creaminess supports the saltiness, well balanced and very complex.
inama.wine, 40 Euro
Calvarino Soave Classico DOC - 93 Falstaff points
Pieropan, Soave
Bright luminous light gold. Williams pear, hay, canned peach, mango on the nose, with hints of light honey on the finish. Full-bodied palate with plenty of melt, spreads elegantly across, nice salt, with a juicy and harmonious finish.
pieropan.it, 23 euros
Brollettino Lugana DOC - 93 Falstaff points
Ca' dei Frati, Lugana di Sirmione
Pale straw yellow, with silver reflections. White peach and elderflower on the nose, lime and a hint of flint in the finish. Crisp on the palate, with fine pressure, rich fruit core of apricots, slightly salty in the persistent finish, still needs some time in the bottle.
cadeifrati.it, 16 euro
Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato DOC - 92 Falstaff points
Zenato, Peschiera del Garda
Rich straw yellow with golden yellow core. Very delicate nose, candied orange, ripe honeydew melon and chamomile, flint and light spice. Creamy texture on the palate, mineral span across the palate, ripe fruit core, some vanilla, noticeable use of wood in the finish.
zenato.it, 28 euros
