2012 Pieropan Soave Classico: A Tart Winter White

This was another pick-up at the NSLC Port of Wines Festival in September.  In fact this was one of the very first wines we tried in the VIP section upon arrival.  Needless to say the flavours in the wine were top of mind as we decided which wines to try.

This wine from Italian producer Pieropan  is made from 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave.  Some Soave is fermented in oak but this one is fermented in glass-lined cement tanks.  That said, it has both a freshness and some body as well.

The wine has a golden hue in the glass and it almost is an apple juice colour.  There are slick legs running down on the swirl but you would swear there is some level of oak involved.  Interesting.

There is a very mild nose on this wine that did not increase as the wine warmed up in the glass.  Very subtle and soft smells of carmelized peaches and again vanilla (which would denote oak of some level).  Interesting.

When we tasted it there was a creamy and yet thin mouthfeel that had a tart finish.  We would say there is a tightness to the wine and strong acid on the mid-palate.  The flavours are very much quince and bosc pear with a hint of mint.  Fresh and clean but tart finish which is not surprising for being such an acidic mid-point.

	Tasting Notes:	Score:
Sight (0-5)	Golden apple juice colour with quick legs on the swirl.	3.75
Smell (0-5)	Very mild nose with subtle carmelized peach and vanilla notes.  No oak in the tasting information so that is somewhat surprising.	4.0
Taste (0-10)	Creamy and thin mouthfeel with a tart finish.  Quince and bosc pears dominate.	8.0
	Total:	15.75 / 20 (78.75%)

This wine clocks in at $22 locally and that seems a touch high but this is a respectable wine that is well made and works well as a Winter white wine.  No real complaints on this one as it is a nice tasting profile overall.  If this were under $20 the scores would reflect that.

Keep on tasting!

Chris & Shannon