Dry White 2024

Originating from the hills of Valpolicella, north of Verona, Giuseppe Quintarelli's Bianco Secco comes from well-exposed hillside vineyards with predominantly limestone and basalt soils. The estate is located in the hamlet of Cerè, in Negrar, in the heart of a rolling landscape enjoying a temperate climate thanks to its proximity to Lake Garda. The vines, often trained in pergola, benefit from significant diurnal temperature variations, which promote slow grape ripening and preserve the aromatic freshness characteristic of this white wine.

Made from a manual harvest of local white grape varieties, Bianco Secco is vinified traditionally with a gentle pressing of whole grapes, followed by alcoholic fermentation in tanks, conducted at controlled temperatures to preserve aromatic expression. Maturation then takes place in large oak casks or wooden vats, on fine lees, with spaced rackings to naturally clarify the wine and refine its texture. Bottling occurs after several months of aging, without seeking excessive extraction, to maintain freshness, balance, and complexity.

This wine reveals notes of ripe pear, yellow apple, and citrus, complemented by floral touches of white flowers and chamomile, as well as delicate spicy nuances of white pepper and ginger. A subtle mineral dimension, reminiscent of wet stone, can also be perceived. On the palate, the body is ample but driven by a lively acidity, with a slightly saline texture and a persistent finish, balanced between freshness, tension, and a delicate sensation of noble bitterness.

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!