2022 Perla del Garda Merlot BIO
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How full and heavy the wine feels in your mouth, like the difference between skimmed milk and cream. More alcohol, sugar and oak ageing make a wine fuller.
The drying, grippy feel on your gums and tongue, as with strong tea. It comes from the skins and seeds of black grapes and from oak, and softens with age.
How much sugar you taste, from dry to sweet. Fruity is not the same as sweet: a dry wine can taste of ripe fruit.
How fresh and juicy the wine is: acidity makes your mouth water. High acidity tastes lively and refreshing, low acidity soft and round.
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The bars follow how sommeliers taste (WSET): body, tannin, sweetness and acidity, each from low to high.
Body: medium-bodied. From ; 12% alcohol.
Tannin: medium. From ; aged in oak.
Sweetness: dry. Red wine from is almost always dry.
Acidity: low. From .
Aromas: dark fruit and red fruit, typical of
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Log inThe 2022 Perla del Garda ECO Merlot is an organic red wine from the Lake Garda region, made from 100% Merlot. The wine displays a ripe, round style with dark fruit and soft tannins, supported by a subtle oak influence and sufficient freshness for balance.
Origin Garda Merlot
This wine comes from the Garda DOP area, around Lonato del Garda, where the vineyards are situated at an altitude of 150 to 250 meters. The combination of the hilly location and proximity to Lake Garda ensures even ripening of the grapes.
The lake acts as a temperature buffer, mitigating extreme heat and allowing the grapes to retain their freshness. This is essential to prevent the Merlot from becoming too heavy.
Climate and location
The climate around Lake Garda is mild and stable. Warm days alternate with cooling influences from the lake, ensuring a long growing season.
These conditions contribute to a balanced development of sugars and acids, which can be tasted in the balance of the wine.
Soil and terroir
The soils consist of calcareous clay of moraine origin. This combination ensures good drainage and supports both structure and freshness in the wine.
Limestone provides tension and length, while clay ensures roundness and body, which suits the style of Merlot in this region well.
Merlot style grape
The wine is made from 100% Merlot. In this climate, the grape produces ripe fruit with a soft structure and mild tannins.
Typical aromas are plum, black cherry, and light spiciness, with a smooth and accessible style.
Vinification and aging
The grapes are harvested by hand in September and October and undergo careful selection. After a short cold treatment, fermentation follows in stainless steel tanks at 18-22°C for 10 to 15 days.
Subsequently, the wine ages partly in steel and partly in oak barrels, which provides extra structure and a slight complexity.
Flavor profile and texture
In the glass, the wine displays a deep ruby red color. The aroma reveals ripe dark fruit such as plums and cherries, complemented by light spicy notes.
On the palate, round and smooth, with soft tannins and a balanced structure. The finish is mild and slightly spicy, with a pleasant length.
Character
The wine
- 100%
Origin
Bottle
Wine features
Perla del Garda is located south of Lake Garda, in the area between Desenzano and Sirmione. The estate covers around 40 hectares of vineyards on the morainic hills near Lonato del Garda. The focus is mainly on Turbiana, complemented by varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Riesling and Incrocio Manzoni. For red wines, the estate works with grapes including Rebo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Location and terroir Garda
The vineyards are situated on the southern slopes of Lake Garda, on soils formed by glacial deposits. These morainic soils consist of calcareous clay and stones, relatively poor and well-draining. This forces the vines to root deeply in search of water and nutrients, contributing to concentration and structure in the wines.
The proximity to Lake Garda creates a moderated climate. The lake acts as a temperature buffer, reducing extreme heat and softening cooler nights. As a result, the grapes ripen gradually and retain their natural acidity, a key characteristic of Lugana.
Prandini family history
The Prandini family has a long agricultural background rooted in the Verona area. For generations, the family worked the land, passing down knowledge and experience. The move into wine production began in 2000, when Giovanna and Ettore Prandini started exploring the potential of the morainic hills south of Lake Garda.
After several harvests and careful observation, the first estate wine was produced in 2006: a Lugana named Perla. At the same time, a modern winery was built among the vineyards to allow for fast and efficient grape processing.
Vineyard approach
At Perla del Garda, the focus is clearly on vineyard work. There are no fixed schedules; decisions are made based on each vintage. Climate conditions, ripeness and grape health determine the timing of the harvest and subsequent steps.
Harvesting is done entirely by hand. Grapes are collected in small boxes and quickly transported to the winery. The maximum distance between vineyard and cellar is about one kilometre, minimizing oxidation and preserving fruit quality.
Winemaking and technique
An important part of the production process is the use of gravity in the winery. The gravity-flow system reduces mechanical intervention, helping to preserve the purity of the fruit.
Winemaking is focused on precision and control, using modern techniques to support rather than dominate the character of the grape and terroir. For white wines in particular, the emphasis is on freshness, clarity and structure.
Grapes and wine styles
The key grape is Turbiana, also known as Trebbiano di Lugana. It forms the backbone of the Lugana wines and is valued for its fresh acidity, subtle aromatic profile and ageing potential.
In addition, Perla del Garda works with both international and local varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Riesling for whites. For reds, grapes such as Rebo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are used. Across the range, the style remains focused on balance and drinkability.
Sustainability and development
Sustainability plays an increasing role within the estate. Part of the vineyards is farmed organically, and since 2016 the winery has produced certified organic wines. The decision to certify the production chain reflects a commitment to transparency and quality control.
Recognition and quality
The quality of Perla del Garda has been recognized over the years. Early on, the estate received a place among the 100 best wines of Italy for Madre Perla. Later, it was awarded Tre Bicchieri by Gambero Rosso for the Lugana Superiore Madonna della Scoperta.
Deze 2022 Madre Perla Lugana Riserva is gelaagd en diep door lange sur lie rijping, met citrus, rijpe appel en wit steenfruit die samenkomen met florale en mineralische tonen. De combinatie van frisheid en rijpheid geeft balans en maakt hem uitermate geschikt bij witte vis, schelpdieren, risotto of gevogelte, terwijl de mineraliteit voor lengte en elegantie zorgt. Serveer hem rond 10 tot 12 graden en kies bereidingen zoals risotto ai frutti di mare of gegrilde witvis met citroen en kruiden om de romige textuur en kruidige accenten extra tot hun recht te laten komen.
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