Discovery of Soave Part 3: The Epitome of Cru - Pieropan's La Rocca 2012, Soave Classico DOC

Haven't forgot Part 3 of my “Discovery of Soave”! Don't worry! Still in Soave! Still full with 100% Garganega! Still really surprised! However, this time to the out-most. So far, most of my Soaves were in Andante molto mosso or Andante con moto style. The following one had more of good old bonafide Allegro con brio style! Wow, quite a lot of screamers today, right! Anyway, ...! For such an experience I did not even have to leave town! Next to Castello Scaligero on Monte Rocchetta hill in Soave there is a vineyard of prominence and quality: La Rocca! This south west facing, chalk and clay dominated vineyard is situated at 200 to 300 m above sea level. Since the late 1970s the Azienda Vitivinicola Leonildo Pieropan is producing a most of the time very late picked (end of October ) single cru wine from this distinct place in Soave. Today Pieropan belongs to the most renowned and well distributed vintners from Soave. As I've already told you - their “simlple” Soave Classico 2013 was quite fine. La Rocca 2012 was downright spectacular. It conveyed what kind of quality can be won out of the Garganega grape …

Discovery of Soave Part 2: The Visits - Filippi, Sandro de Bruno and Le Battistelle

In Part One of “Discovery of Soave” there hasn been quite enough ado about history, agriculture practices, the actual enviroment and probably a bit too much stirring of personal emotions as well. Today I'd like to go straight to the actual matter of interest: the wine! Well, as a matter affect there will be a little bit of ado in form of a short approach to three wineries I have been visiting during my stay in Soave. Don't despair, I'll try to keep it as short as possible. So, off to Castelcerino on the steep slopes of Vale d'Illasi ...

Discovery of Soave Part 1: Look Forth and Back - Il Soave Preview 2013

SURPRISE! This is probably the best word to start with a new mini series about the wines of Soave! Why surprise? Rather easy to explain! Last week I have been invited to the Il Soave Preview 2013 by the Soave Consorzio Tutela. During this stay my inflationary use of this very expression in conjunction with Soave wines is reason enough! Alike not so few wine fanatics, Soave did not have the best of all possible reputations for me as well. Everybody knows why, I guess. Now, after my little trip to Soave I've learned that there is more to many wines from Soave than just the staggering beauty of the surroundings were the actual grapes are cultivated! Throughout three entire days I've tasted plenty of very well produced and sometimes even outstanding wines! In the forthcoming weeks I'd like to share some of my recent experiences in four short parts - or sometimes not so short parts like today - of my personal “Discovery of Soave”! 

Today, like the heading implies, I'd like to start with my favourite wines from the Preview 2013 tasting and some really interesting aged Soave Superiore wines. But first a short introduction of the region and its autochtonous offspring, the Garganega grape, is essential. I know, I know ... not really the favourite part for the majority of you guys out there. Don't get discouraged! I will try to keep my introduction as short as possible ...