Soave
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Chardonnay B. (Chardonnay Blanc)Garganega B. (Garganega)Trebbiano Di Soave B. - Trebbiano (Verdicchio Bianco)
Terroir
Natural factors
- Basaltic volcanic-origin soils, loamy-clay in texture, dark in colour, mildly alkaline, mineral-rich and well-drained.
- Hillside zone of the Monti Lessini: vineyards ranging from 35 m (foothill zone) to 380 m a.s.l., with predominantly east-, south- and west-facing exposures.
- Temperate-humid climate, with annual rainfall of 700–1,000 mm concentrated in spring and autumn; summers are warm.
- Cool air currents from the Monti Lessini and significant diurnal temperature variation promote gradual ripening while preserving acidity, a key asset for white wines.
- Calcareous and volcanic soils coexist; their low pH values contribute to the natural acidity of grapes destined for sparkling wine production.
Human factors
- The pergola veronese is documented from 680 AD and remains the dominant traditional training system throughout the appellation zone.
- Wines made from dried grapes — "acinatici" — produced by appassimento are already mentioned in a letter of Theodoric (503 AD), making them the ancestors of today's winemaking tradition.
Product characteristics
- Straw yellow with greenish hues, with aromas of almond, white flowers, exotic fruit, citrus and spice.
- Soave Classico is distinguished by mineral notes and a full palate with minimal vegetal character; Garganega contributes structure, and its ripe skin is firm and characteristically yellow.
Terroir / wine link
- The mineral-rich basaltic volcanic soils favour the fermentation processes of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave musts.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
- eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A0472
- Official trade body site — Consorzio Tutela Vini Soave e Recioto di Soave