La Frosca Soave 2023

Located in the historic Soave Classico region, the La Frosca vineyard of the Gini estate stretches across steep slopes around the village of Monteforte d'Alpone, east of Verona in the Veneto region. The vines, planted in volcanic soils rich in basalt and tuff, benefit from well-ventilated exposure and significant temperature variations, promoting slow and complete ripening of the grapes. The combination of altitude, temperate climate, and the basaltic nature of the soils gives this wine its mineral character and remarkable aromatic purity.

The Garganega grapes, grown on old vines on volcanic slopes, are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and then carefully sorted before gentle pressing. The must ferments slowly at controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity and minerality. Aging continues on fine lees in stainless steel tanks for several months, with periodic stirring, and the wine is then refined in the bottle before release to gain complexity and balance while retaining its freshness.

This wine reveals notes of white-fleshed fruit , ripe citrus , and white flowers , complemented by mineral touches and subtle almond nuances. The palate is silky smooth, supported by a lively and perfectly integrated acidity that underscores the freshness of the aromatic profile. The structure remains elegant, with a sense of great purity and a persistent, mouthwatering, and slightly saline finish , marked by a return of citrus and wet stone.

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!