Soave wine: history, review and classification of drinks

1) Features of local winemaking and the history of Soave
2) The peak of popularity
3) Wine description and specifics of production
4) Classification of Soave wines
5) Recommendations for use

The drink with an unusual melodious name is of Italian origin.

White wine from the Garganega variety first appeared in the northeastern part of the country, in the eponymous province of Soave, located in the Veneto region.

Modern Soave is a decent wine, which is considered a budget analog of the popular Chardonnay and exquisite Chablis.

Features of local winemaking and the history of Soave

Interestingly, the region produces exclusively white wines.

The main share of local vineyards falls on the aromatic Garganega variety, while no more than 10% is allocated for other varieties.

The latter include Pinot Blanc, Trebbiano and Chardonnay.

Grape plantations in Soave occupy more than half of all land.

Private winemaking is well developed here: the number of large and small farms is about a hundred.

Owners of wineries work closely with owners of industrial enterprises.

The Garganega grape was probably bred by crossing Mediterranean white varieties with a wild local vine.

As for Soave, the exact time of the drink's appearance is unknown.

There is an assumption that the wine appeared in the first century: the statement is based on archival references to "white wines of Verona".

However, it is unlikely that this was the drink in question. More plausible is the version of the appearance of Soave in the XIV century, which connects the origin of the wine with the appearance in the vicinity of Verona of the author of the "Divine Comedy" Dante Alighieri. However, this story is also not confirmed.

The peak of popularity

White Italian wine from Garganega experienced in the middle of the XX century. The drink was to the taste of noblemen and representatives of the art sphere: it is known that Frank Sinatra and Federico Fellini liked Soave.

However, the fame did not do the wine any good: its reputation was severely damaged at the turn of the century.

Producers began to increase volumes without paying due attention to quality, which led to a natural decline in interest in the famous drink.

From the end of the twentieth century to the present day, Soave has been experiencing a period of recovery.

A lot of work has been done to remedy the situation: the areas most favorable for growing Garganega have been identified, the exact production technology has been approved, and the classes of the drink have been differentiated.

These measures helped to revive interest in Soave and increase production to 70 million bottles per year.

The drink's popularity was also boosted by the filming of the movie "Letters to Juliet", which was released in 2010 in the vicinity of Verona.

Not only local wineries and cellars, but also the drink itself, which filled the glasses of the main characters, were shown in the footage.

Wine description and specifics of production

In Italian, the word "Soave" means "pleasant, sweet, delicate", which is the best description of the drink and perfectly characterizes its taste.

Soave is produced from Garganega (which accounts for at least 70%), Trebbiano, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

The degree of fruit ripeness is of great importance, which affects the flavor and aroma properties of the finished wine.

When they reach the right state, Garganega berries are able to give the drink a delicate minerality and exquisite spice, which allows us to compare Soave with the best Italian wines.

Oak barrels or steel tanks can be used for storage: each producer decides on this issue independently.

The same can be said about the blending of raw materials: some producers consider Garganega to be a self-sufficient variety, while others prefer to supplement it with a small inclusion of other fruits.

Product characteristics directly depend on the style of production and the area in which the grapes were grown.

Color

Light straw color, the intensity of the shade may vary from producer to producer.
Aroma

The aroma is dominated by fresh fruit and herbal notes.
Taste

Slightly mineral, balancing between soft acidity and delicate sweetness. Aftertaste - long, fruity.

Classification of Soave wines

There are many producers of Soave wine in the Veneto region.

To put things in order and systematize the categories of wines, a clear gradation of territories was introduced depending on the conditions of growing raw materials.

It includes three groups of drinks:

Soave Superiore DOCG

This category includes the best wines, the number of which is limited. Trebbiano grapes are not used for their production.

Many critics are doubtful about the allocation of this class of wines, believing that the second group is not inferior in quality, and sometimes even surpasses the first.
Soave Classico DOC

Unites wines made in the traditional territory of Soave, where the drink has been produced since time immemorial using classical technology.

Among these wines, there are examples that are no less worthy than the products from the "excellent" group.
Soave DOC
The most numerous category includes simple wines, for the production of which raw materials are used, collected not in the "best" areas: in lowlands or low-yielding places.

The division of wines into "classes" is rather arbitrary: you can find great drinks in any of them. It all depends on the manufacturer and compliance with the correct technology.

Recioto di Soave (DOCG) deserves a special mention

, which is distinguished into a separate type.

This wine is made from dried grapes, which determines its unique sweet taste.

Fruits are dried for several weeks and even months to make the drink.

As a result, the grapes lose up to 40% of their weight, while maintaining a high level of natural sugars, which are also present in the finished wine.

"Recioto di Soave" can be still and sparkling.