Enjoy an immersive journey into Italy’s most prestigious white wines with a Soave wine tour!
The region
The Soave wine producing area lies on the eastern end of the Verona province, at the foothills of the Lessini Mountains. Specifically, it includes the valleys of Mezzane, Illasi, Tramigna (where the medieval village of Soave is located), and Alpone.
The whole region is divided into three distinct sub-zones.
The Classica area is the historical heart of the region. It includes the hillside vineyards around the villages of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone. The soil here is very complex and can change completely within a few meters. However, the Classic area consists mainly of volcanic soil, locally called “tovo.” In fact, black basaltic stones are clearly visible in many vineyards. These stones give the Soave Classico wine its signature mineral note.
The Colli Scaligeri sub-zone surrounds the northern part of the Classica area in a horseshoe shape. This sub-zone was established more recently compared to the historical heart of the region. Here, the vineyards are planted on hillsides with a mix of limestone and volcanic soil. Consequently, Soave Colli Scaligeri is another high-quality wine, known for being intense and mineral.
Finally, Soave DOC covers the southern valley floors. This designation was originally created to meet the increasing market demand for Soave wine.Therefore, the wines produced in this flat area are generally lighter and less intense than those from the hilly parts.
The grapes
Winemakers produce Soave wine primarily with the Garganega grape. This white indigenous variety must constitute at least 70% of the blend. However, it is not unusual to find a Soave wine tour featuring wines made with 100% Garganega.
Garganega is an ancient local variety characterized by large, pyramidal bunches. It is a late-ripening grape with the harvest taking place at the end of September. In addition, it gives the wine signature flavors of white flowers and almonds. By law, producers can also add Trebbiano di Soave, which provides high acidity, or the international Chardonnay variety to the blend.
The wines
Soave Superiore DOCG represents the highest quality dry wine of the region. To achieve this, the grapes are cultivated with lower yields only in hillside vineyards. This wine must have a minimum alcohol content of 12% vol and matures for several months before release. Therefore, the color is more golden, and the aromas are deeper and more intense.
Recioto di Soave DOCG is the most ancient wine of the region. In fact, Roman records mention this wine as “White Acinatico.” It is a sweet dessert wine, typically paired with Italian almond cookies (Cantucci) or dry pastries.
The name Recioto comes from the dialect word “Recie,” which means “ears,” referring to the top lobes of the grape bunch. Traditionally, farmers selected only these parts because they had the best sun exposure and were richer in sugar. Today, the harvest is still manual to ensure only the best bunches are chosen. Then, the grapes undergo “appassimento,” drying for 4 to 6 months in a well-ventilated room called a fruttaio. The result is a golden nectar with notes of honey, dried apricots, ginger, and vanilla.
The village of Soave
Soave is the name of both the wine and the main village of the region. It is a charming medieval hamlet that is truly worth a visit. In Italian, the word “soave” means “delicate” or “gentle.” However, the name does not actually come from the characteristics of the wine.
Instead, it derives from the “Svevi” (Swabians), a German population that settled in the valley after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. Despite this, the first inhabitants were the Romans. Even today, local farmers occasionally find Roman remains while working in their fields.
Today, Soave maintains its medieval atmosphere. It is completely surrounded by two kilometers of well-preserved city walls with 24 towers. The imposing Scaliger Castle sits at the top, overlooking the valley. A stroll through these peaceful roads, where time seems to have stopped, or a visit to the Castle is a highlights of every Soave wine tour