Winemaker Notes
Pieropans La Rocca bottling distinguishes itself from Calvarino with its firmer structure and greater ageability. This effort still has plenty of life left.
Mimics Sauvignon a little in its gooseberry and red currant flavors and grapefruity acidity.
The soil is volcanic in origin, with abundant microelements, calcareous/clayey in structure. The resultant wine is from 100% Garganega grapes, late-harvested so as to ensure maximum extract, and aged in oak barrels from one year.
It is a characterful wine, reminiscent of exotic fruit and nuts on the nose, soft and persistent on the palate, with hints of spice and vanilla. It evolves beatifully with time, achieving that rare balance of components, that harmony of flavours and bouquet, which is the hallmark of superior breeding. Ideal with grilled fish and white meat.
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.