2022 Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino BIO

Leonildo Pieropan is considered 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 aged 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, the terroir and the microclimate, the company purchased vineyards and real estate in Cellore d'Ilasi (Valpolicella and Amarone) in 1999. Corvina, corvinone, rondinella and croatina veronese are now used to make a beautiful Valpolicella, Ruberpan and a complex and rich Amarone. The old fifteenth-century monastery on the estate, Villa Cipolla, is currently being restored and converted into a luxury agriturismo.

The Calvarino vineyard of the Azienda Agricola Pieropan winery is located in the heart of the Soave Classico region and has formed - since its purchase in 1900 - the core of the Pieropan family estate. The soil here dates back to the Tertiary period and is rich in clay and basalt, which gives the wine a savoury, mineral character. The name Calvarino is derived from 'the little cavalry' to indicate the difficulty of working the often very steep vineyards here. The Calvarino wine was first produced in 1971 and is symbolic of 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 beautiful length and finesse.

The grapes are picked by hand in two stages, with a strict selection for the right ripeness. In the vinification cellar, the grapes are destemmed and then pressed. Then, a temperature-controlled (14 to 18°C) spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with wild (grape-specific) yeasts takes place in stainless steel tanks for 2 weeks. After this, the wine is transferred to concrete vats to undergo malolactic fermentation and to mature on its fine 'lie'. After 1 year, the wine is assembled and bottled after light filtering. This entire process takes place according to 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 taste palette aromas of lemongrass, verbena, a hint of honey and walnut. These are accompanied by a long mineral finish with soft fresh acids.