Italy
Pieropan
Soave
Winemakers: Leonildo, Andrea & Dario Pieropan
Viticulture: Organic
Established in 1890 at the historic Palazzo Pullici in the heart of the town of Soave, Pieropan has long been the benchmark for production in the area, and third generation Leonildo ('Nino') has shown the world how great Soave and the Garganega variety can be. Early on he recognised the importance of terroir, expanding the family's historic crus of La Rocca and Calvarino and acquiring the prestigious hillside crus of Pigno, Becco, Boiolo, Tondo, Palestrello and La Santa. Today, Nino is joined by sons Andrea and Dario, maintaining the family's profound commitment to the terroir and tradition of Soave, and now Valpolicella.
The single vineyard wines Calvarino and La Rocca are polar opposites, yet they share a remarkable capacity to age gracefully. Calvarino, with 30% Trebbiano, is oak-free with pure fruit that is tight and minerally. La Rocca, from the vineyard that overlooks the town itself, is late harvested and aged in tonneaux. It displays an explosion of ripe tropical fruit with an intense, layered palate that is velvety and persistent. Recioto di Soave, invented by Leonildo's father, is made with the best grapes from the 'recie' – ears of the bunch – and dried on racks for five months. The wine is an exquisite balance between delicate sweetness and refreshing acidity.
Ruberpan, made mostly from Corvina Veronese with Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina is rich with perfumed cherry and blackberry fruit and a complex, elegant palate – a true expression of the Pieropan style. Due for release later this year is their debut Amarone 2006.
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Wines
Soave DOC
Soave Classico DOC 'Calvarino'
Soave Classico DOC 'La Rocca'
Ruberpan IGT
Recioto di Soave DOCG 'Le Colombare'