Winemaker Notes
Wine Enthusiast Magazine's 2023 Innovator of the Year
Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine was born of the Family’s love for Valpolicella. In its almost centennial existence, the company is now the #1 private producer of wines in Northern Italy. Famiglia Pasqua is locaed in Verona and produces premium and unique Italian wines. In its storied existence, the company has obtained international recognition with its wines, which are synonymous with the great wine-producing tradition of the region. Tradition, innovation, quality and passion are the values handed down from generation to generation by the Pasqua family.
Three generations of people with a Veronese heart and an international soul, sharing the same great passion: viticulture and the production of unique wines from Veneto as well as other great Italian wine regions. Beginning in 1925, the first generation of the Pasqua brothers came to Verona and established a new business devoted to the trade of wines from their homeland, Apulia. Along with wine trade, they decided to start a winery. Within a few years, with the acquisition of new vineyards in the Verona area, the company progressively gained importance and visibility. During the sixties the second generation of the family entered the business, bringing about an opening to export and an orientation toward quality. The addition of an agricultural estate in the eighties and innovative research center for vines, grafting techniques and vineyards. In the mid 2000’s the company made a huge investment with the creation of a new headquarters and manufacturing plant in San Felice, in the heart of the family vineyards.
Now the third generation, composed by Riccardo, Alessandro, Cecilia and Giovanni, started to lead the company, the international market reached new heights, with the foundation of Pasqua USA in New York. The company now sells wine in 40 US States & 60 countries worldwide.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Among Italy’s classic whites capable of great potential, Soave is named after the medieval village and surrounding hillsides from whence it comes. The original, historical Soave zone, delimited back in 1927, covers the eastern, volcanic hillsides of today's general Soave zone and is called Soave Classico.
Garganega, the indigenous grape responsible for great Soave, produces medium bodied white wines with fine acidity. Typical in the best Soaves are lively flowery and fresh herbal aromas and flavors such as orange zest, peach, melon and marjoram. The best can take some age and in so doing, develop notes of chamomile, marmalade and honey.
By the 1960s and 70s, Soave was enjoying such a glorious global reputation, that its demand forced growers to push beyond the zone's original borders. Expansion led west out of the hills and onto the alluvial plain of the Adige River. This, coupled with an increase in yields and allowance of additional varieties such as Trebbiano, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, met demand but created a softer, fruit-forward, everyday Soave. Today the broader region can be the source of charming and value driven whites. But those labeled as Soave Classico or in rare cases, as Soave Colli Scaligeri (nearby hillside vineyards abutting the Classico zone), will be the best quality and age-worthy Soaves. These are often 100% Garganega.