Pieropan Wines: Suave Whites!
Estate grown and bottled. Slow Wine. These were some of the only associations we had for today's wines before trying them. Generally, our tastes in whites tend towards the sweeter varietals, unless the pairings are well-chosen, in which case our writers tend to split down the mineral/buttery divide with some passionately defending each. In the absence of food, a wine has to offer a bit more- it takes quite a lot of character to stand alone.
Pieropan, a fairly small Italian winery, sent us two Soave wines. Both are based on Garganega, a varietal that you might not be so familiar with, but that is fairly popular in Italy. In fact, we mentioned it recently, in our review of a few other wines from the region! We liked it then, and we like it now- these are classic wines, reasonably priced, and attractively bottled and labeled.
The Pieropan 2009 La Rocca wins out of the pair, if only because it isn't blended, and so the single varietal stands out a bit more. It's pretty distinctive, a nice change of pace for those used to and perhaps a little bored by the usual Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. It airs well, growing fuller, but starts fresh and a bit floral. On the tongue, it's got a great balance, a mellow minerality mixed with some tartness. Melon, peach, but not too sweet, this one offered a really lengthy finish. We nibbled on some nuts, and the saltiness paired well. It's not as easy to like as some crowd pleasers, but works much better for those who have tried a few and want something a bit bolder. Should age nicely for a few years as well. Around $25 a bottle.
Their more recent 2010 Soave adds in a bit of Trebbiano, which dilutes that boldness a bit, but adds to the aroma. It feels a bit more perfumed, and though the wine is a bit less intensely focused, it still has plenty to offer. Paired with greens, or a nice appetizer platter, it can float a bit in the background, without being overpowered, or being too intimidating. It's an orchard sort of wine, a bit green itself, and offers a lot for the price- under $20. We found it bright, lip-smacking, and a great introduction to Soave wines for those who aren't familiar.
About the Author
Greg Greg dreamed up the idea for the Truly Network while living in Hawaii, which began with a single site called TrulyObscure. In 2010, when advertisers and readers were requesting coverage beyond the scope of that site, TrulyNet was launched, reaching a broader audience over a variety of niche sites. Formerly the head technology correspondent for the Des Moines Register at age 16, he has since lived and worked in five states and two countries, helping a list of organizations and companies that includes the United States Census Bureau, TripAdvisor, Events Photo Group, Berlitz, and Computer Geeks. He also served as the Content Strategy Manager for HearPlanet, a multi-platform app that has reached over a million users and has been featured in the New York Times, Hemispheres Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Fox Business News, PC Magazine, and even Apple’s own iPhone ads. Greg has written as a restaurant critic and feature journalist for a number of national and international publications, including City Weekend Magazine, Red Egg Magazine, the Newton Daily News, Capital Change Magazine, and an arm of China Daily, Beijing Weekend. In addition, he has served as a consulting editor for the Foreign Language Press of Beijing, as well as a writer and editor for the George Washington University Hatchet, the school newspaper of his alma mater. Originally from Iowa, Greg is currently living in the West Village of Manhattan.
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