2021 Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino BIO

Leonildo Pieropan is seen as the godfather of Soave. The wines are made from the garganega and trebbiano grapes from the hills around the town of Soave. The special cuvée La Rocca, made from late-picked grapes, is raised in French oak and has won many international awards. Andrea and Dario continue their father's work and, in addition to the famous Soave, also make red wines of exceptional quality. After studying regional grape varieties, terroir and microclimate, in 1999 the company purchased vineyards and real estate in Cellore d'Ilasi (Valpolicella and Amarone). A beautiful Valpolicella, Ruberpan and a complex and rich Amarone are now made from corvina, corvinone, rondinella and croatina veronese. 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 has been - since its purchase in 1900 - the core of the Pieropan family estate. The soil here dates back to the Tertiary era and is rich in clay and basalt, which gives the wine a savory, mineral character. The name Calvarino is derived from 'the small cavalry' to indicate how difficult it is to work the often very steep vineyards here. The Calvarino wine was first made in 1971 and symbolizes the most traditional and characteristic wine of 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 beautiful length and finesse.

The grapes are picked by hand in two stages, with a 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's own) yeasts is allowed to take place in stainless steel tanks for 2 weeks. After this, the wine is transferred to concrete vats to undergo malolactic fermentation and mature on its fine 'lie'. After 1 year, the wine is assembled and bottled after light filtration. This entire process follows strict biodynamic rules and regulations.

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