PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 'LA ROCCA'

VENETO, ITALY 2016

"The dean of all Soave producers, Leonildo Pieropan is simply one of Italy's most gifted and knowledgeable winemakers. His Soave wines age remarkably well, handling fifteen-twenty years in a good cellar with ease." - Ian D'Agata
 

It's safe to say that Soave has never been better. You'll seldom hear the words 'greatest wine' and 'greatest value' in the same sentence, but that's what we have for you today. Showcasing one of the greatest values on the market, this crisp, mineral laden white hails from a region classified as one of the best in the country. With some of the most exceptional terroir on the boot, the native Garganega grape produces an intriguing, refreshing and deeply enjoyable white at a price point that won't break the bank. In the past decade, Italy's northeast region of Soave has come leaps and bounds in terms of quality and if you're wondering what the real kicker is: prices have failed to keep up. Now, I'm not in the camp of condoning this injustice, however, it is in my wheelhouse to share how you can take advantage of a region teeming with bargains. Just as in choosing Burgundy...producer, producer, producer. So, to truly offer you the best "bang-for-your-buck," we've taken the search out of the equation and wanted to introduce you to the reference point Soave, representing one of the greatest whites and greatest values in Italy: Pieropan Soave Classico 'La Rocca'. With a 95-point score at just over $30 a bottle (our sharpest price), it doesn't get much better than this.
 

The Pieropan legacy began in the late 1800s when visionary winemaker Leonildo Pieropan purchased the historic Palazzo Pallucci in the medieval village of Soave. For over a century the Pieropan family has revolutionized winemaking there, becoming one of the most highly respected families in all of Italy. As the first winery to offer a single-vineyard Soave Classico with the release of Calvarino in 1971, Pieropan is credited with initiating a renaissance in quality winegrowing in Soave. In addition to Calvarino, they craft La Rocca, named for the vineyard that shares the same hillside as Soave's imposing medieval castle. The family's persistence in releasing single-vineyard Soave Classicos from select hillside crus in spite of long-held beliefs that Soave is a regional wine has increased Soave's acclaim on the world stage and placed the Pieropan name at the level of the most prestigious wine families in Italy.
 

As noted by Monica Larner of Wine Advocate "no one comes close to giving a more graceful and delicate voice to the workhorse Garganega grape." With the belief that the vineyards are the guarantee of true quality, the hillside single vineyard 'La Rocca' is one of the most pure and powerful expressions of their native Garganega grape. Situated on the Monte Rocchetta hill, just below the medieval castle built by the Scaligeri family, the microclimate in the vineyard produces wines with distinction and poise. Comprised of chalky, clay soils that lie 200-300m above sea level, the vines range from 10-50 years old. This celebrated single vineyard is the richest Soave in their portfolio. Crafted from 100% Garganega that is harvested at the optimal ripeness, the wine has an incredible level of depth and complexity. As always, for one week, we're offering an incredible deal on this already unbelievable bargain. With the ability to age beautifully in your cellar for another 10 years or just as easily to be popped on a hot summer day, don't miss this chance to stock up!