Winemaker Notes
Blend: 70% Garganega, 30% Trebbiano
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Always such a pleasure to taste (and drink), the 2011 Soave Classico Calvarino is an absolute beauty that shows the elegance and balance of the 2011 vintage (that delivered excellent results in much of the Veneto). The wine just oozes personality and territory with firmly etched mineral notes (derived from heavily volcanic soils) that leave a fine, dusty patina in the mouth. I could imagine pairing this delicious wine with the most sophisticated seafood dished created in Southeast Asia that encompass delicate, but fragrant flavors and lemongrass. The elegance and grace of the wine is outstanding.
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James Suckling
Beautiful mineral and stone character with sliced mangos and white pepper. Full body plus racy acidity and a clean and fresh finish. Very tangy and invigorating on the palate. This vintage marks the 40th anniversary of wines from this single vineyard.
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Wine Enthusiast
This Soave with pedigree and class proves the potential of this denomination. White peach, citrus, pear, honeydew melon and mineral sensations take center stage. The rich flavors are brightened by crisp acidity that gives a linear, elegant character. It has nice length and ends on an almond note.
One of Italy’s classic white varieties, Garganega flourishes in the rolling vineyards surrounding the medieval village of Soave and is the dominant variety in the wine from the region, aptly known as, Soave. By law it makes up 70-100% of the blend with the remainder traditionally finished off by Trebbiano di Soave for its crispness. Somm Secret—The best Soave wines, measurably elegant and vibrant, come from the Soave Classico zone, in the center of Soave, where the hills are made of decomposed volcanic and granitic soils.
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.