Pieropan
Pieropan's estate covers 46 hectares of vineyard which are situated on the stony...
hills of Soave Classico. The Pieropan family has been producing wines in Soave since the 1890s. Indeed, they were the first producer to bottle a wine with the name Soave on the label in the early 1930s. Nino Pieropan took over from his father in 1970 and was the first producer in Soave to make a single vineyard wine, 'Calvarino', in 1971. Nino's two sons, Andrea and Dario, now work with him running the estate. From the 2015 vintage onwards, all Pieropan wines are organically certified.
Vineyards
The grapes are grown in the vineyard of 'La Rocca', which takes its name from the adjacent medieval castle and fortress ("La rocca") that dominate the town of Soave, just east of Verona. The soil in La Rocca is unique in Soave in that it is a limestone outcrop (the same soil as in Valpolicella Classico) in a sea of basalt. Because of this soil, Nino Pieropan feels he gets sufficient ripeness in his Garganega to make a wine solely from this variety.
Vintage Information
A wet winter helped to restore water reserves and ensured a good start to the growing season, with what Pieropan described as 'luxuriant canopies and leaves that were green and rich in chlorophyll'. The growing season in general was uneventful, with hot spells interspersed by cool periods. August was particularly hot, with little relief in the second half of the month but fortunately, a little rain in the middle of September brought welcome relief to the late ripening Garganega, and allowed the vines in the Classico zone to recover from the hot, dry August. Harvest started in early October and finished on 20th October.
Vinification
After gentle, whole bunch pressing, there was a short period of maceration on the skins followed by fermentation at 20ºC in stainless steel tanks and 500 litre oak casks because Pieropan feels Garganega is too delicate for fermentation in barrique. 60% of the wine then remained in 500 litre oak casks and 40% aged in 2000 litre 'botti' or barrels for one year. The wine then stayed for four months in bottle before release.
Tasting Notes
Golden yellow in the glass, with intense, concentrated perfumes that follow through to the palate. Classic La Rocca aromas of almond essence and honey lead to an elegant and beautifully balanced palate, with notes of vanilla and almond kernel, ripe apricots and exotic fruit. The long finish has a light minerally edge.
Vintage Information
| Vintage | 2009 |
| Grape varieties | 100% Garganega |
| Region | Soave Classico, Veneto |
| Winemaker | Dario Pieropan |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 13% |
| Acidity | 5.78g/l |
| Residual Sugar | 5.1g/l |
| Wine pH | 3.27 |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.