Soave
Today we’re in the region of Veneto, to the northeast of Italy, around the medieval towns of Soave and Verona. Set along the Alto Adige, the towns are connected by a bank of hills famous for their exceptionally fertile volcanic soil.
Setting aside the romance of medieval towns and Italian hillsides, Soave is very important to the overall volume of Italian wine production. Veneto is Italy’s highest producing region, and the Soave DOC is its most important subregion. The majority of sites are high yielding, with most fruit heading meeting its fate as popular local table wine as it has for thousands of years. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Something for Everyone
Stylistically, Soave is a dry white made with Garganega, one of Italy’s oldest varieties. Mineral and perfumed, low acid and a little oily, these wines are often savoury, fresh, and great value. Notes of white blossom and peach, pear and almonds are preserved by stainless steel maturation. Funkier styles hit out with garden herbs, a little tropical energy or even a lick of salt. The region also produces a decent amount of Verdicchio under the title Trebbiano di Soave… something for everyone.
But there’s Soave, and there’s Soave. As you rise the ranks, so expands the complexity of these wines. Soave Classico and Soave Superiore were employed in the late 60’s to separate a few choice vineyards from the proverbial riff raff. (As much as we love a little riff raff, poorly made Soave can taste like green bitter almonds).
But there’s Soave, and there’s Soave. As you rise the ranks, so expands the complexity of these wines. Soave Classico and Soave Superiore were employed in the late 60’s to separate a few choice vineyards from the proverbial riff raff. (As much as we love a little riff raff, poorly made Soave can taste like green bitter almonds).
Its most famous producers include Pieropan and Anselmi, while we’ve got our eye on the progressive Suavia, an estate owned by two sisters and comprised of just two vineyards.
Forever drawing inspiration from the Italians, Soave shapes versatile whites beautifully suited to the Australian climate and our varied diet, whether its freshly caught Sunday seafood, or munching through a bag of Smiths crinkle cut chicken chips in the backyard.
Forever drawing inspiration from the Italians, Soave shapes versatile whites beautifully suited to the Australian climate and our varied diet, whether its freshly caught Sunday seafood, or munching through a bag of Smiths crinkle cut chicken chips in the backyard.
Notes of white blossom and peach, pear and almonds are preserved by stainless steel maturation.