Pieropan : Calvarino 2024

Characteristics and tasting advice for Calvarino 2024 from Pieropan

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a pale straw-yellow color, enhanced by greenish highlights that evolve toward subtle golden hues over time.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet stands out for its freshness and minerality. It reveals intense floral aromas reminiscent of jasmine, acacia, and elderflower, harmoniously intertwined with fruity notes of yellow peach, pear, pineapple, lemon, and fresh almond. Delicate herbal touches of mint, sage, and marjoram complete this complex ensemble.

Palate
Refreshing and dry, the palate offers a fine balance supported by well-controlled acidity and a pronounced mineral structure. Flavorful notes of ripe citrus, pineapple, and peach are accompanied by a hint of salinity. With a light to medium body, this wine unfolds elegantly into a persistent and lively finish.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs beautifully with seafood such as oysters, clams, or herb- and lemon-grilled shrimp. It also enhances poultry dishes like roasted chicken, as well as vegetarian options such as asparagus risotto or a tomato and mozzarella salad. The estate particularly recommends enjoying it with a local specialty: creamed cod served on a charcoal waffle with lime zest. Finally, its minerality works wonderfully with mushroom pasta dishes.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate Calvarino 2024, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 46 and 50°F (8–10°C), ideally in a classic white wine glass or a Burgundy-style glass. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth for its freshness, but it also has excellent aging potential, allowing it to develop greater complexity over time.

The authentic expression of a volcanic terroir in Veneto

The estate

Founded in 1880 by Doctor Leonildo Pieropan, who left medicine to pursue his passion for viticulture, the Pieropan estate is a true institution in Veneto. A pioneer, the estate was the first to place the "Soave" appellation on a label and to introduce organic farming in the region as early as 2008. Today, brothers Andrea and Dario Pieropan oversee this 40-hectare vineyard. They continue the family legacy by combining historical expertise with cutting-edge techniques, notably through a new eco-friendly underground winery inaugurated in 2022, while highlighting the pure expression of their terroir.

The vineyard

The wine comes from the historic Calvarino vineyard, located at the heart of the Soave Classico appellation. Facing northwest, the vines thrive at altitudes ranging from 95 to 145 meters on steep slopes. This terroir is distinguished by its ancient volcanic soils, rich in basalt dating back to the Eocene era, which give the wine its characteristic minerality. Grown organically, the 30- to 60-year-old vines are trained using the traditional Veronese pergola system. Yields are deliberately kept low to ensure optimal concentration of aromas.

The vintage

The 2024 vintage proved particularly challenging from a climatic standpoint. The growing season was marked by difficult weather conditions and high humidity, increasing the pressure from fungal diseases. In response to these challenges, meticulous work was carried out in the vineyard, including targeted leaf thinning to improve airflow and sun exposure for the grape clusters. This constant adaptation helped preserve the health of the fruit and ensured the harvest of high-quality, sound berries.

Winemaking and aging

The Calvarino 2024 harvest is carried out manually in several passes to select perfectly ripe berries. After destemming and gentle pneumatic pressing under nitrogen to prevent oxidation, the free-run juices ferment at low temperatures (between 57 and 64°F / 14–18°C) in tulip-shaped vitrified concrete tanks. The wine then undergoes extended aging on fine lees for 12 to 15 months, with regular manual bâtonnage. Additional bottle aging for several months further refines its balance before release.

Grape varieties

70% garganega, 30% trebbiano di soave