La Greppia restaurant, Verona
/1 April, Friday
Closing dinner in honour of Vinitaly Concorso judges, at “La Greppia”, Verona
Pecorino “Terre di Chiete” 2010 IGT, Cantina Tollo, Abruzzo
100% Pecorino, from this cooperative, established in the 1960’s, and that works as a cooperative is meant to: 1,200 members, 9+ million bottles. This is no mass produced cooperative non-entity, it is a near perfect expression of this unique and appealing white grape. The nose is spring white flowers covered in morning dew…peaches and cream …all held together with a steely, solid acidity which dances across the palate. Refreshing, amusing and delicious.
Excelsa Soave 2010 Castelforte, Veneto
100% Garganega. I was keen to try this “new” expression of Excelsa as I have been hearing a lot about it but did not quite understand what it meant: I still do not. But apparently, the Soave producers are trying to revamp the Soave style to make it more appealing to the modern, international market, but, without losing its varietal or local typicity. They are calling this new style “Excelsa”, and I don’t know how they did it, but it works. This wine is gorgeous. It was supple, fruity, playful, yet solid and straight-forward with very clean lines and movement – the wine drew you in and sort of directed you through its olfactive road show….
La Rocchetta Brut, Societa Agricola La Rocchetta
A sparkling wine issued from Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay. It was the evening’s favourite wine: solid, weighty, complex, creamy and compelling. We drank it with the entire meal and it handled every course beautifully.