Col Foscarin Recioto di Soave 2016

Located in the heart of the historic Soave Classico region, the Col Foscarin vineyard stretches across the volcanic slopes overlooking the village of Monteforte d'Alpone, east of Verona in northern Italy. Planted on hillsides at medium altitude, the vines benefit from mineral-rich basaltic soils and excellent ventilation, promoting slow and concentrated ripening of the grapes. This unique geological origin gives the Gini estate's Recioto di Soave a particularly refined and balanced expression.

The grapes destined for Col Foscarin Recioto di Soave are harvested by hand and then left to dry on racks to concentrate their sugars and aromas. After this extended pressing, the berries are gently pressed, and the must ferments slowly at a controlled temperature to preserve its aromatic finesse. Fermentation is stopped to retain a natural richness of residual sugars. The wine is then aged in tanks and barrels on its fine lees before a further period of rest in the bottle to refine its luscious texture and complexity.

This wine reveals notes of dried apricot , candied peach , and orange zest , complemented by floral nuances of orange blossom and chamomile , as well as hints of honey , sweet vanilla , and dried fruit . On the palate, the liqueur is full and velvety, carried by a fresh acidity that balances the sweet richness, with a silky texture and a long, slightly mineral , and delicately spicy finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!