Some proper tasting treats ready to line our table this weekend! On the beer side of things, this Friday (1st March) evening from 4 to 6pm, we welcome in one of our absolute favourites, Hawkers (hosted by the beer guru and all-around top bloke Emerson!) We'll have several of their delectable brews here for all to try, as well as a few special surprises!
Saturday (2nd March) will bring Italy's beloved Veneto region into full view, with some iconic Soave and Valpolicella expressions in equal measure! Come by between 12 and 2pm, and experience the brilliance of Pieropan, with three of their most pristine examples of Garganega on display, as well a tremendous value gem from Corte Giacobbe, a serious mineral hit (grown on old vines in volanic soils) from Inama, and even a fleshy full-bodied old vine Trebbiano.
More of a red fan? We won't be lacking in that realm either, with four absolute charmers from Zenato. There's incredible deep fruit and dark tertiary flavours to enjoy across the four bottles, with particular special marks going towards these two expressions of Amarone; so rich, so moreish, so detailed. Valpolicella at its peak, indeed...
Hawkers Beer Tasting - Friday 1st March
Running from 4 to 6pm
Beers on pour -
Hazy Pale Ale
Hazy IPA
Into the Forest, I Go (Berry Sour)
Vive Le Tini Hard Raspberry and Pineapple Sparkling
+ Some other surprises!
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Veneto in View - Wine Tasting Saturday 2nd March
Running from 12 to 2pm
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The Whites
Tenuta Corte Giacobbe Roncà Soave - $29 on special this week; $33 RRP
"Appealing and well-balanced on the palate, with lingering, aromatic melon and citrus that push through to a crisp finish hinting of dried almond. Vines rooted in the volcanic soils in Roncà, on the slopes of the extinct Calvarina and Crocetta volcanoes, yield this wine with its pronounced, zesty minerality." - Winemaker Notes
"This wine opens with lemon zest, lemon oil and aromas of iris that waft out of the glass. The pure palate is lifted with mixed citrus notes alongside tart apricot, sea salt and very pure minerality ending with a pop of acidity. This dynamic wine will pair with fish, pork and/or roast cauliflower." - Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast
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Pieropan Soave Classico 2022 - $38 on special this week; $43 RRP (email us to order - stock arrives next week!)
// Made with 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave in cement tanks
"Brothers Dario, the oenologist and Andrea, the agronomist, are responsible for more than 70ha of proprietary vineyards across both volcanic and limestone sites, while championing the indigenous varieties, Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave. Telltale aromas of white pepper, jasmine and ripe orchard fruit accents. While this is a blend from a litany of sites, each is vinified separately before blending. A fine smoky plume across an effortless, tenacious finish. A delicious, easygoing and highly fidelitous expression of the region." - 92 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
"The 2022 Classico is a total pleasure on the nose. Sweet smoke and mint nuances compliment tropical green melon notes. This soothes with its soft textures while stimulating the senses with a zesty mix of brisk acidity and candied citrus. It tapers of crisp and clean with an inner floral resonance as lemon oil traces slowly fade. I would drink this any night of the week. What a treat." - Eric Guido, Vinous
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Pieropan Calvarino Soave 2021 - $65 on special this week; $74 RRP
// Certified Organic
"The Calvarino vineyard, purchased in 1901, was the historical nucleus of the estate. This cru, made from 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano grown on volcanic soil, produces a refined and elegant Soave with mineral driven fruit and a chalkiness reminiscent of fine Chablis. The crisp fruit (green apple, citrus and stone fruit) preludes a fine and complex palate with piercing clarity and a long finish. First made in 1971, Calvarino has a track record of a long cellar life, up to 15 years, in the finest vintages." - The Wine Tradition, Importer Notes
"There’s something especially spicy and enticing about the 2021 Soave Classico Calvarino. White smoke and honeyed floral aromas give way to ground ginger and crushed green apples. It’s deeply textural, nearly oily, and young peach nuances swirl throughout. Residual acids keep you returning to the glass as a zesty yellow citrus offsets liquid stone through the youthfully tense finale. This is an absolutely stunning performance for Calvarino, and as primary as it is today, I can’t help but pour another glass. The 2021 was matured entirely in glass-lined cement tanks for one year. The 2021 Calvarino is a powerful terroir representation.” - 94 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
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Pieropan La Rocca Soave 2021 - $70 on special this week; $80 RRP
// Certified Organic
"La Rocca, first made in 1978, is named after the medieval castle and fortress overlooking the town. Made from 100% Garganega, grown on calcareous soil (the only soil of its type in Soave) and harvested quite late. Following a brief skin maceration, fermentation takes place in tonneaux before transfer to 20hl barrels, where it is aged on fine lees for one year. Intense, sunny yellow in colour, the nose recalls ripe exotic fruit and roasted nuts, the multi-layered palate is complex with beautifully balanced richness and outstanding length. Cellar life is 15 plus years and the wine is great with rich seafood dishes, white meats such as rabbit, pork and chicken and mature cheese." - The Wine Tradition, Importer Notes
“The 2021 Soave Classico La Rocca seduces, flaunting its rich bouquet of confectionary spice and sweet oak before coming further into focus with baked apple and chamomile notes. This is elegance personified, opulent at first and then decidedly savoury and precise, with crisp orchard fruits flowing across a saline-tinged, acidic core. The 2021 finishes with dramatic length, staining the palate in youthful concentration as zesty citrus combines with dried apricot and peach. This is an especially decedent vintage of La Rocca, yet the balance is something to behold. It was refined for one year in a mix of 2000 and 500 liter Slavonian oak barrels.” - 93 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
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Zenato Lugana Riserva Trebbiano 2019 - $78 on special this week; $89 RRP
// 100% Trebbiano di Lugana
"The Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato is produced from the company’s most historic vineyards and only in certain vintages that ensure the longevity of this vine. Sergio Zenato had great faith in the Lugana right from the beginning and opted for refinement in wood precisely to enhance that longevity. So pleased was he with the result, he put his signature on the label. The colour is clear gold with sparkling highlights. The bouquet has elegant hints of flowers, citrus and exotic fruit. On the palate, the wine has a substantial, balanced and mineral taste." - Winemaker Notes
"Founded by Sergio Zenato in 1960, production is divided between Valpolicella and Lugana, where the family owns vines in some of the top sites of Peschiera. This is a single-vineyard selection, about two-thirds aged in mixed barrels. The excellent 2019 has late-harvest fruit with vanilla and milky almonds on the nose, a palate with a fleshy, low-yield concentration and a minerally, intense finish." - 93 Points, Richard Baudains, Decanter
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Inama 'I Palchi' Foscarino Grande Cvuée Soave 2020 - $125 on special this week; $145 RRP
"I Palchi is a geographical term used to indicate a series of wide terraces, lined with pergolas of old Garganega vines, located on Monte Foscarino (Soave Classico area). From these, since 2019 – thanks to their optimum exposition and meticulous vineyard management – we have obtained a special selection of outstanding grapes. The Soave Classico here produced, immediately revealed itself to be a unique wine: a new label was born. Fermentation takes place in big barrels (50%), in barriques (30%) and steel tanks (20%). Once blended, the wine refines in bottle for other 6 months. Elegance is the defining characteristic of this wine. Our “I Palchi Soave Classico” captures the volcanic soil of this ancient grape-growing region with notes of mineral, stone fruit and flinty hints." - Winemaker Notes
"Beautiful nose of white peaches, mangoes, jasmine, waxed grapefruit, thyme and hints of salted sourdough. Distinct salty, ashy minerality. It’s medium-bodied, vibrant and textured. Stony and crisp, yet creamy and flavorful throughout. Serious Soave. The second vintage from an old-vine selection from the historic, volcanic Monte Foscarino vineyards." - 96 Points, James Suckling
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The Reds
Zenato Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2020 - $40 on special this week; $46 RRP
// 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, 5% Corvinone
"Ruby red in color, this Valpolicella Superiore offers fleshy aromas of wild berries, black currants, black cherries, and spices, with hints of chocolate. On the palate, the wine is dry and robust with velvety texture. Pair this wine with antipasti, arrabbiata sauces, seared sashimi tuna, or orange-glazed duck." - Winemaker Notes
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Zenato Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2019 - $65 on special this week; $75 RRP
"As soon as the dried grapes for the winery’s Amarone have completed fermentation, a top selection of Valpolicella grapes “passes over” (ripassa) the Amarone pomace, thus resulting in a second brief fermentation. This helps to obtain higher alcohol content, deeper color, and rich flavor and aroma. Af-ter aging in French tonneaux for 18-20 months, the wine is cellared for another 6 months in bottle before release. The process makes for a refined and concentrated wine, extremely smooth and vel-vety, with vibrant red fruit aromas. On the palate, it delivers fruity notes and elegant tannin with hints of chocolate and spice. Ripassa has played a highly important role in the Zenato winery’s evolution over the years." - Winemaker Notes
"A lovely mix of red berries, bright orange peel and spicy cedar on the nose, following through to a full, round and silky palate with very fine tannins that are well integrated into the texture. Lots of flavor and good length. Hard not to settle down to a glass or two of this." - 93 Points, James Suckling
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Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella 2018 - $148 on special this week; $170 RRP
// 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, 5% Oseleta
"Ruby red in color, intoxicating aromas of dried black cherries, cassis, truffles, and chocolate fudge leap out of the glass. The resulting wine is silky, luscious, and complex, with a lingering finish." - Winemaker Notes
"Very aromatic, pushing out aromas of dried red and black fruit, including dried blueberries and dates, together with a nice, spicy layer of nutmeg and pressed flowers. Full-bodied with an amazingly harmonious texture to the palate, thanks to the dense, very fine tannins that also provide super length. There’s a bright, saline mineral note that kicks in and pushes the finish even further. Exquisite Amarone." - 96 Points, James Suckling
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Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2017 - $280 on special this week; $320 RRP
"Ruby red in color, this Amarone Riserva offers dense and smokey aromas of dark cherries, raisins, chocolate, and anise, framed by fruity tannins and a spicy finish. With the level of complexity and balance that this wine shows, it will evolve beautifully for 10+ years." - Winemaker Notes
"This is one of those wines where your nose is in the glass for ages, enjoying the complex array of aromas that range from raspberries to dates, perfumed bark to polished wood, pressed flowers to fresh mushrooms. Full-bodied, dense and focused with fine, well-integrated tannins, plenty of fruit flavor and an endless finish." - 98 Points, James Suckling
"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is totally classic to the Zenato style, with macerated cherries, raisins, sweet herbs, cocoa, black pepper and shavings of cedar. This deeply textural with a dense wave of mineral-encased dark red fruits and balsamic spice carried across a core of stimulating acidity. Mocha and clove mix with black currant and olive as the 2017 finishes dramatically long and potent. There's simply so much going on here, and more is guaranteed to come with maturation. Also of note is that the 2017 clocks in at only 3.3 grams of residual sugar. This is as serious as they come." - 97 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
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 6th of March