In 2018, Pieropan celebrated that they have been producing wine from the Veneto region for as many as 40 vintages. In the ’70s, where the market was flooded with indifferent and bland Soave from big negociants, Pieropan concentrated on buying land on the best-placed cru’s and thus today has 27 acres of top-ranked plots of land. This was entirely in line with Leonildo Pieropan’s belief that good wine starts in the field. This strategy has borne fruit – at least Pieropan’s wines are in a class of their own today.
Especially the two single-field Soave “Calvarino” and “La Rocca” are excellent, and are often highlighted by the Italian and international press as archetypes of classic Soave. Both wines have also shown an incredible ability to be stored for many years, which is rare for Italian white wine. La Rocca often seems a little fatter and more creamy, while Calvarino often seems more acid-resistant and fruity. Calvarino in particular, was one of Italy’s first cru’s and Soave’s first. The first vintage was 1972. The winemaker Veronelli noticed that Leonildo bottled this wine for himself and wondered. Leonildo explained that the reason was that this wine had unique characteristics when it came from the dark lava-containing soil.
Conversely, La Rocca’s soil is completely white and very calcareous. Pieropan’s regular Soave is a very reliable glass of wine and always one of our “best buys.” It is admirable when such beautiful white wines are made from local Italian grapes at a time when international varieties are seen everywhere.
In addition to the three Soave, Pieropan today also makes a sweet wine called “Le Colombare.” This is a white recioto made from 100% Garganega. Le Colombare has a fantastic balance between sweetness and acidity and is characterized by a wonderful, slightly exotic scent – often with a touch of raspberry.