2020 Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino BIO

Leonildo Pieropan is seen as the godfather of Soave. The wines are made from the grapes garganega and trebbiano from the hills around the town of Soave. The special cuvée La Rocca, made from late-picked grapes, is matured in French oak and has won many international awards. Andrea and Dario continue the work of their father, making red wines of exceptional quality in addition to the famous Soave. After studying regional grape varieties, the terroir and the microclimate, the company acquired vineyards and real estate in Cellore d'Ilasi (Valpolicella and Amarone) in 1999. Corvina, corvinone, rondinella and croatina veronese are now made into a beautiful Valpolicella, Ruberpan and a complex and rich Amarone. The old fifteenth-century monastery on the domain, Villa Cipolla, is currently being restored and converted into a luxury agriturismo.

The Calvarino vineyard of the winery Azienda Agricola Pieropan is located in the heart of the Soave Classico region and - since its purchase in 1900 - forms the core of the estate of the Pieropan family. The soil here dates back to the Tertiary era and is rich in clay and basalt, giving the wine a savory, mineral character. The name Calvarino is derived from 'the little cavalry' to indicate how difficult it is to work the often very steep vineyards here. The Calvarino wine was first created in 1971 and symbolizes the most traditional and characteristic wine from the Soave area. The nose of the wine is fresh, with a hint of (elder) blossom, lemon and cherries. In the mouth the wine is dry, mineral with a wonderful length and finesse.

The grapes are picked by hand in two courses, with very strict selection for the right ripeness. In the vinification cellar, the grapes are destemmed and then pressed. Subsequently, a temperature-controlled (14 to 18°C) spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with wild (grape-specific) yeasts is allowed to take place for 2 weeks in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then transferred to concrete tanks to undergo malolactic fermentation and mature on its fine 'lie'. After 1 year, the wine is assembled and bottled after light filtering. This entire process follows strict biodynamic rules and regulations.

In the glass, the Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino has a bright, sparkling straw yellow color. In the nose aromas of citrus fruit, peach, orange peel and jasmine. In the palate aromas of lemongrass, verbena, a hint of honey and walnut. These are accompanied by a long mineral aftertaste with soft fresh acids.