Home > Producer Profiles > Italian Profiles > Pieropan

Pieropan

Swimming against the tide, the Pieropan family have been a flag bearer for the Soave DOC for several decyades, a small speck of quality in an ocean of often less than adequate wines. Now run by third generation husband and wife team Nino and Teresita Pieropan, the wines continue to impress. They persist with traditionalist practices, for the dry wines at least, producing wines using 100% Garganega (unlike other top Soave producers who have introduced Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc) and eschewing barrique fermentation or ageing.

The range includes a 'basic' Soave Classico, as well as single vineyard wines Soave La Rocca and Soave Calvarino, the Recioto di Soave le Colombare and another sweet wine Passito della Rocca for which anything goes. It is a blend of Garganega, Riesling, Sauvignon and Trebbiano, fermented and subsequently aged en barrique. In addition, the Pieropan's also occasionally produce a late harvest wine, using nobly rotted Garganega, which can be stunning. (28/4/03)

Contact details:
Address: Via Camuzzoni 3, 37038 Soave
Telephone: +39 045 619 0171
Fax: +39 045 619 0040
Internet: www.pieropan.it

Pieropan - Tasting Notes

The following wines were tasted in April and May 2003. Click to locate stockists.

Pieropan Soave La Rocca 2000: A gorgeous colour, quite a deep and rich golden hue, but cut through with a tinge of green. Fresh and vibrant on the nose, immediately offering grapefruit and other citrus fruit aromas, followed up by notes of honey, fresh white bread and stone fruit also. Ripe and mouthfilling on the palate, but with a firm grip and fresh acidity. This is matched by a developing honeyed texture which will only get better with time. White and stone fruit flavours, with a nutty edge. Some bitter quinine on the finish, where it is really very savoury and still grippy. This is delightful stuff, with potential to develop in bottle for several years I feel. Very good, potential for improvement. Label

Pieropan Soave Classico 2001: This wine is a pale golden hue, and full of melon and stone fruit on the ripe, enticing, open nose. The palate is ripe and fleshy, quite savoury, with pepper-spiced fruit. Medium body, with a touch of richness and grip, balanced out with fresh grapefruit and citrus tinged acidity. This would make lovely summer drinking. Very good. Label

Pieropan

Pieropan - Tasting Notes

Veneto