Garganega
75cl * 13% ABV * Veneto, Italy
Pieropan's estate covers 58 hectares of vineyard 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.
This wine comes from the single-vineyard of 'La Rocca', which sits upon the limestone hillside overlooking the medieval town of Soave, where the altitude and microclimate allow the Garganega to achieve exceptional ripeness and depth. The 2024 vintage was challenging, but the fruit was carefully managed and hand-harvested parcel-by-parcel, resulting in a wine of exceptional quality and concentration.
After harvest, the grapes were gently pressed and fermented in a mix of stainless steel and large oak casks, before aging on lees in oak for over a year. In the glass, La Rocca is expressive and layered, with aromas of ripe peach and apricot, alongside notes of toasted hazelnuts and a hint of honey. On the palate, it is full-bodied and textured, with rich stone fruit and citrus feel balanced by fresh acidity. There's a gentle spice and a touch of vanilla, underpinned by a nice minerality that leads into a long and elegant finish.
Pair with roast chicken, pork or veal, especially with creamy or buttery sauces. Seafood-wise, it's excellent with lobster, scallops or crab, as well as richer fish like turbot or monkfish. The nutty, savoury notes of the wine also make it a great match for mushroom dishes, risotto, and aged cheeses such as parmesan.
Drinking beautifully now, this wine will continue to develop over the next 12 years, gaining more of a honeyed, nutty character.