With the new cellar, Pieropan relaunches itself as a reference for a territory, that of Soave in Veneto region, northern Italy – and especially the hilly part “Soave Classico” – which is volcanic and variegated, rich in history and home to one of the most significant Italian whites made from indigenous grapes (mainly Garganega).
pieropan – vineyards
The new cellar has been officially open in April 2022, isolated from the hill within which it is located and surrounded by experimental vineyards to select the most suitable rootstock against drought. Due to the circular map and so integrated that you realize the size only once inside: it is in fact 10,000 square meters; the materials come only from Veneto region.
pieropan – barrels room
At the entrance, after the reception, it is possible to read the story of the family on the wall to remember the weight of the family with the purchase of the first vineyard in the early 1900s up to the successes reached after the Second World War, thanks also to the arrival of the DOC in 1968, when Soave, together with some other denominations, becomes to carry “Italy” all over the world. The cru, “Calvarino” and La Rocca – among the very first crus in Italy especially with the passage in wood of the second – arrive to distinguish the quality and territorial potential from the indefinite production to which a success out of control drove. Now the sons of Leonildo, who makes significant changes since 1966 and passes away in 2018, run the business: Andrea and Dario, who represents the 4th generation, for a 100% family business and, at the moment, 680,000 bottles a year.
The internal rooms are separate but allow perfect integration between the works in progress on a daily basis and the tourist flows. Beyond the bottling and the tanks rooms, both the Calvarino room with ‘Tulips’ and La Rocca one with the tonneaux and large barrels are open to public as well and charming.
Always fascinating is the room for drying the grapes destinated to the sweet version: Recioto which are kept in the historic premises in the village.
pieropan – appassimento
VERTICAL TASTINGS – NOTES
SOAVE CLASSIC DOC 2021
(85% Garganega, 15% Trebbiano di Soave, aged in vitrified cement).
Precise nose with notes of flowers, loquat, wet stone and ripe lime. The acidity, typically supported by Trebbiano di Soave too is high; more austere on the palate but clean.
pieropan – calvarino
CALVARINO – Soave Classico DOC 2021
(70% Garganega – 30% Trebbiano di Soave; vines of 30 to 60 years; basaltic soil; maturation in vitrified cement tanks on fine lees for 12/15 months).
Still exuberant but certainly promising with iodine and almost mentholated notes to refresh the yellow fruit enriched by dairy sensations. On the palate it is consistent and promises a beautiful development.
CALVARINO Soave Classico DOC 2020
Variegated nose of infused flower, green pepper, lemon leaf and flint; “creamy” and intense sip with a dry and savory finish. Among the best samples thanks to the volcanic soil that supports it even in the less easy vintages.
CALVARINO Soave Classico DOC 2016
Ripe nose with notes of pineapple, tomato leaf, fermented peach, then ash and nuts. Still refreshing, with a very nice texture.
CALVARINO 5
(first wine of “Vini dell’Anima” collection. It is a blend of five vintages of Calvarino [2008-2009-2010-2011-2012] aged for at least 10 years concrete in the cellar)
A fruity nose enriched by hints of yeasts, almond and a herbs. Enveloping on the palate with a long finish.
pieropan – la rocca
LA ROCCA – Soave Classico DOC 2021
(100% Garganega; fermentation and aging in tonneaux and large 2500 liter barrels for 12 months)
Broom, peach, white pepper and polish on the nose. Round on the palate, structured but balanced. The absence of Trebbiano makes it less acidic. Among the best samples.
LA ROCCA Soave Classico DOC 2020
More developed than 2020 with dry flowers, saffron, orange peel. More sober on the palate than 2021 due to a less regular vintage in which the limestone behaves differently from the volcanic soil of Calvarino which also supports it in less classic vintages in which, however, it seems that La Rocca stands out at the top of the rankings.
LA ROCCA Soave Classico DOC 2015
Again, the rainy and cool vintage makes it thiner and “tired” while retaining the charm of the ripe fruit and so expressing a good nose-mouth coherence.
The drinkability of the most recent arrivals from Valpolicella (I mean the reds Valpolicella Superiore and Amarone) is fascinating.
