After the spritely detail on display with last weekend's champagne lineup, we thought to follow suit with some more European charm this weekend; we take a turn south-east down to Italy to show off a memorable row of Soave releases, with Pieropan, Inama and Le Battistelle as the three starring names!
Garganega, Veneto's beloved primary white grape, is a varietal that can impress with both high-tone freshness and bracing acidity, as well as more savoury underpinning complexities that stem from the area's alluvial limestone soils. What's more, once the fruit sees either some age in oak or some added splashes of Trebbiano blended in (as you'll find with Pieropan's Soave Classico and the exceptional 'Calvarino' label), it'll always show some a striking kind of aromatic finesse that only it can inhabit, even in comparison to some of its other DOC contemporaries.
Needless to say, all eight wines that you'll find on special here we love for how stylish and concentrated they feel; if you're yet to truly explore this part of the wine world, see it as a bit of a quintessential journey through what makes it so desirable to its growing fanbase. We hope you can join us this Saturday (3rd May), pouring between 12 and 2pm!
Soave in Sight
Specials & Tasting
Saturday 3rd May (12 to 2pm)
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Le Battistelle 'Montesei' Soave Classico 2023 -
$30 on special this week; $34 RRP
// 100% Garganega
"This wine comes from a blend of small south-facing vineyards in the Soave Classico area, from vines predominately between 70 & 90 years old. As with all the wines the grapes are farmed on steep terrace vineyards using Pergola’s, the traditional method of farming in Soave Classico. The soil type of the Montesei vineyard sites are a mix of porous volcanic rocks, lined with clay and silt. Pale straw yellow colour, this aromatic wine displays a full range of ripe fruit and white flowers characters. On the palate, the fruity, elegant nuances are stylishly intertwined with a lively minerality. Full of energy and flavour, this is offset by a refreshing acidity to give a balanced finish." - Winemaker Notes
Pieropan Soave Classico 2023 -
$37 on special this week; $42 RRP
// Made with 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave
"The freshest and youngest expression of Soave Classico that the Pieropan family has been offering on the market since the early 1900s. Brilliant pale lemon colour, with delicate reminiscent aromas of almond blossoms and marzipan. Fresh and floral with hints of vine, cherry and elder flowers, and of fresh fruit such as pear and white peach. Smooth palate, with good fruit concentration, nicely balanced by a zesty acidity that enhances its long finish." - Winemaker Notes
"Every year Pieropan captures the soul of Soave, Garganega and the vintage in such a pristine way that it keeps us in awe. This vintage shines with aromas of Fuji pears, Anjou apples, lemon blossom and flint. The palate is crisp with green apple skin and lemon zest flavors that give way to toasted almonds, acacia honey and a minerality so deep that you might as well be in a quarry." - 93 Points, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast
Inama 'Carbonare' Soave Classico 2022 -
$60 on special this week; $67 RRP
// 100% Garganega
"Nestled in a remote corner, Carbonare is a wonderful vineyard of old pergolas which greets the morning sun, overlooking a steep sided valley. The basalt, which characterizes the Soave Classico grounds, has great chromatic complexity here. The strong character of the vineyard is evident in the grapes: joyful aromas of citrus, effervescent acidity, mineral freshness. Richly flavoured, with an important acidic backbone to provide balance and support its aromatic character. Citrus flavours are complemented by savoury notes to add complexity, with a fresh finish." - Winemaker Notes
"A quintessential expression, this wine hits all the right notes with unwavering precision. It's a solid performer, delivering exactly what you'd expect from a classic of its kind. This is a wine that you can count on today or tomorrow. Drink now through to 2040." - 94 Points, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast
Inama 'Foscarino' Soave Classico 2021 -
$60 on special this week; $67 RRP
// 100% Garganega
"Foscarino is our interpretation of the Soave Classico that looks back to ancient times. It recalls ancestral traditions in order to revive forgotten aromas. Selection from old vines. Vineyards are located in the Monte Foscarino: basaltic-volcanic soil and south-east exposure of the vines. It opens fresh, mineral, deep, with fragrant field flower notes (camomile, elderflower, iris). On the palate is rich, complex and multilayered with an almond finish. With the passing of time, these notes transform into even more complex aromas of pollens and dried flowers." - Winemaker Notes
"Grown on the top of a dormant volcano, this Soave shows why Garganga is one of the great white grapes of Italy. The wine opens with apple and citrus blossoms with hints of acacia honey followed by fleshy white peaches, Fuji apples and well-defined minerality. The palate is creamy yet taut with fine acidity and tons of minerality accented by ripe stone fruits and citrus zest." - 94 Points, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast
Le Battistelle 'Roccolo del Durlo' Soave DOC 2022 -
$63 on special this week; $72 RRP
// 100% Garganega
"This single vineyard is situated in the Carbonare Cru, one of the most famous sites in the Classico zone. This vineyard contains so many old vines, up to 140 years old, a truly special plot. Unlike the Battistelle bottling from the Brognoligo Cru this site has a mixture of soils, heavily volcanic but a mixture of Basaltic, Iron and Tuff (soft porous rock)." - Importer Note
"The 2022 Soave Classico Roccolo del Durlo Viticoltura Eroica is delicate and youthfully coy, with a bouquet that blends crushed stones, salty sea air and suggestions of dried apricot and peach. This is a model of purity; soft, silken textures and fresh acidity guide its mineral-tinged orchard fruits as a hint of green citrus adds contrast. It finishes perfumed and remarkably fresh, lingering long on the palate with sour melon and minty herbal tones that resonate on. Deeply complex, I expect the 2022 Roccolo Del Durlo to thrill Soave lovers for well over a decade." - 93+ Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
Pieropan 'Calvarino' Soave Classico 2023 -
$67 on special this week; $75 RRP
// Garganega 70% and Trebbiano di Soave 30%
"The Calvarino vineyard is located in the heart of the Soave Classico area and represents the old family estate, purchased in 1901. The name Calvarino comes from ‘little calvary’, because of the difficulty of working the basalt soil and because of the tortuous path to reach the bottom. The wine ages in glass-lined concrete ‘tulipe’ tanks for 12-15 months. During this period, it remains on its fine lees to increase richness and complexity. The noble lees are moved periodically through manual battonage. Pale straw yellow, with greenish reflections when young and golden nuances with the aging. The nose is fresh, mineral, with intense floral notes of acacia, jasmine and elderflower, and rich fruit notes such as fresh almond, pear, yellow peach, pineapple, lemon and the characteristic crispy cherry. It closes on nuances reminiscent of aromatic herbs, sage, lemon-thyme and mint. On the palate, refreshing and elegant, with tremendous length and finesse." - Winemaker Notes
Pieropan 'La Rocca' Soave Classico 2023 -
$75 on special this week; $85 RRP
// 100% Garganega
"La Rocca single-vineyard is situated on the slopes of Monte Rocchetta, behind the Medieval Castle which dominates the town of Soave. The vineyard benefits from a special microclimate which makes it possible to obtain a wine with a great personality, and a unique and unrepeatable bouquet. The wine ages for around 15 months in French oak tonneaux and the 20-30% in Slavonian big barrels. During this period, the wine remains on the fine lees, where it acquires complexity and a rich bouquet. Intense straw yellow, with golden nuances. On the nose, reminiscent of exotic fruit, yellow peach and dry apricot, nuts and almond, sweet spices such as saffron, ginger powder, white pepper, honey and a light balsamicity. The palate is warm, smooth and persistent on the palate." - Winemaker Notes
Inama Vintage Collection 2016 -
$150 on special this week; $175 RRP
// 100% Garganega
"Conscious of Garganega’s excellent propensity for aging, we selected some of our outstanding vineyards on the Foscarino hill, with the idea of dedicating even greater attention to these grapes and allowing this wine to undergo a longer maturation, so that it acquired greater intensity while maintaining freshness and balance. After 6 months’ maturation in barriques, the wine remains on its fine lees in horizontal stainless-steel tanks for 5 years. The 2016 vintage will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary in our winery’s history. The weather conditions were simply ideal: a rainy winter prepared the soil with abundant reserves of water, a mild spring favored uniform flowering, and a hot summer (but not excessively so) allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and completely. The result was a harvest of exceptional quality, with fruit that acquired perfect equilibrium." - Winemaker Notes
"Very pretty yellow color with aromas of dried lemons, apples and blossom honey. Some apricots. Hints of caramel. Full-bodied with a honeyed character and light creme caramel, pears and apples in the finish. Fresh acidity with a creamy texture. Fascinating aged white flavors. Fermented and aged six months in old barrels and then seven years on the lees. From the best batch of the best parcels of Foscarino." - 96 Points, James Suckling
If you wish to buy any of these wines, please use the links above
Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions.
// Prices valid until Wednesday the 7th of May