What I Learned
The town of Soave with its famous vineyards is located west of Venice, in a hilly landscape between Verona and Vicenza.
Soave wine tends to be a blend. The Garganega grape is the main grape found in its wines. Its juice will always comprise at least 70% of any DOC Soave wine. Trebbiano and Chardonnay can also make up the blend. Around the towns of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone, Sauvignon Blanc is also cultivated. Decades ago, Soave’s unique white wine didn’t have the best reputation. All that has changed with a stringent adherence to the quality rules.
In the Soave region, there are four steps on the quality hierarchy: Soave DOC; Soave Classico DOC (from the immediate area around Soave and Monteforte D’Alpone); Soave Superiore DOCG; and as of 1998, Recioto di Soave, DOCG. (This wine production technique begins after the grapes have been left to dry in the air, similar to the vin de paille technique.) The area entitled to Classico DOC status is mostly in and around the towns of Soave and Monteforte D’Alpone, heading north into the hills outside these towns. Areas beyond this Classico delimitation are known as Colli Scaligeri.
Soave can be left to ferment in wooden casks, or in stainless steel. Their permitted aging times can also vary. These variances, along with the differing combinations of blends, yields very different end products – making tasting Soave wines a diverse and interesting experience.
What I Drank
2013 Soave, Meridies, Soave Classico DOC, Azienda Agricola Nardello: A dry white wine with medium gold color; Peach, grape and floral notes.
2012 Soave, Vigneti di Foscarino, Soave Classico DOC, Cantina Inama: A dry white wine with dark gold color; Fruit of the grape and notes of honey come through. Mild acidity. Complex with a body best described as chewy.
2012 Soave, Motto Piane, Soave DOC, Azienda Agricola Fattori: A dry white wine with dark gold color; Concentrated honey, vanilla and dry fruits flavors, with a note of resin. Almost astringent dryness. Very interesting to drink.
2011 Soave, Vigna della Corte, Soave DOC, Azienda Agricola Corte Adami (no oak): A dry white wine, medium dark gold in color floral, bright, interesting. Light body, and medium acidity.
2011 Soave, Le Bine de Costiola, Soave Classico DOC, Azienda Agricola Tamellini: A dry white wine, medium gold in color; Honey, buttered toast, nuts, smoke and a hint of resin. Very interesting.
2011 Soave, Carniga, Soave Classico DOC, Cantina Del Castello: A dry white wine, medium gold in color; Eucalyptus, lemon, grape, slight vanilla and spice notes. Medium body, and mild acidity.