Italy — wine

Soave

The Veneto's most important white wine DOC and one of Italy's most historically significant — a zone east of Verona on volcanic basalt and limestone hillsides producing Garganega (minimum 70%) and Trebbiano di Soave. For decades Soave's reputation was damaged by industrial overproduction in the plains, but the Soave Classico zone on the original volcanic hillsides — and especially Soave Superiore DOCG from the finest terroirs — is producing wines of extraordinary mineral complexity, floral delicacy, and surprising longevity that rank among Italy's finest whites.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Outstanding Soave vintage; Garganega from volcanic basalt showed extraordinary mineral precision and the characteristic almond-bitter finish of great Classico.
2021 Elegant vintage; cool conditions preserved Garganega's delicate floral aromatics and the mineral freshness of the volcanic hillsides.
2020 Benchmark year; Pieropan Calvarino and Gini La Froscà both produced single-vineyard Soave of international renown.
2019 Outstanding vintage; Soave Superiore DOCG wines of exceptional depth and longevity potential; international wine press rediscovery of Soave in earnest.
2018 Classic vintage; volcanic basalt hillsides produced wines of good mineral intensity; almond and white blossom character of authentic Classico well expressed.