PL Award 1: Gold - SWA 2017  PL Award 2: Silver - IWC 2017 Country: Italy  Region: Veneto  Vintage: 2014 Category: White Wine  Color: White Producer: 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.The Soave Classico has the richness and zest that makes this such an attractive wine. It is scented and beautifully defined, with hints of honeysuckle and almond on the finish. Pieropan is, our course, most famous for their two single vineyard wines: 'Calvarino', owned by the family since 1901, is on the classic volcanic basalt of Soave Classico; while 'La Rocca' is situated on the only limestone outcrop in the zone. The former is unoaked and minerally and reminiscent of good Chablis, while the latter, fermented in 500 litre barrels, is rich and opulent. 'La Rocca' has won a Gold medal for six years at the International Wine Challenge. Such consistency is rare, but it is what we would expect from Pieropan.While they are known for their whites, the Pieropan family is now making some of the best Valpolicella and Amarone from their 16 hectare property in the Val d'Illasi (to the west of Soave Classico) which they bought in 1999. Their Valpolicella is fresh, scented and attractive, while the Amarone is similarly elegant and perfumed. Both are getting better each year, as the vines mature and the hand in the cellar acquires greater certainty." Winemaker: Dario Pieropan Vineyards: The grapes were 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, Pieropan feel they get sufficient ripeness in the Garganega to make a wine solely from this variety. 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 2,000 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 mineral edge. Food Suggestion: An excellent partner for soups, starters, vegetable-based such as asparagus, peas, courgette, egg-based dishes or seafood and fresh water fish dishes. It is also an excellent aperitif, especially when served with simple canapés. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV: 13%  Acidity [g/l]: 5.7