Uncover extra about this extremely in style wine grape selection and the very best dishes to boost the flavours of this dry white wine.
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What’s Garganega wine?
Right here’s a grape you’re unlikely to have heard of, however I guess you’ve tasted. It’s known as Garganega, and it’s the precept grape of Soave. Native to the Veneto area, there are plantings throughout northern Italy, and additionally, you will discover it below the identify Grecanico Dorato in Sicily. Not too long ago, Australian producers have taken to Garganega, however it’s nonetheless uncommon outdoors Italy.
Garganega, which is pronounced ‘gar-gan-neh-gah’, is a late-ripening and thick-skinned grape selection with excessive acidity. Regardless of tales about its Greek origin, Garganega is definitely virtually definitely native to northern Italy. Soave (pronounced ‘sway-veh’) needs to be made with a minimal of 70 per cent Garganega. The remainder might be made up of Trebbiano and Chardonnay grapes. There’s quite a lot of very unusual Soave about, however at its finest, it’s a contender for Italy’s best white wine. It’s the identical selection because the Grecanico Dorato, which is in style in western Sicily, particularly round Trapani and the capital, Palermo. The primary planting outdoors Italy was in South Australia within the Barossa Valley in 2004. There’s additionally some Garganega in Victoria.
What does Garganega wine style like?
Garganega ought to have an aroma of lemons and orange blossom, and a creamy style harking back to almonds on the palate, all the time with a refreshing acidity. Richer examples would possibly tackle flavours of peaches and tropical fruit, with a extra pronounced nuttiness. Oaky Soave is uncommon, however the very best wines are sometimes aged in previous oak casks. Most Garganega wines are dry, however a tiny quantity of very candy Recioto di Soave is created from grapes dried on straw mats. Most Garganega must be drunk younger, although the very best wines from Soave can age as much as about 10 years. Easier wines must be served at round 8-10C.
What dishes go nicely with Garganega wine?
Like most Italian whites, it’s very food-friendly – nice with risotto, pesto or seafood dishes, like spaghetti with clams.
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Colle Marianna Soave 2020
Made by one of the vital extremely regarded producers within the area, Antonio Fattori, that is textbook Soave. It’s aged in previous oak vats on its lees, which accentuates its almond-like creaminess. This may be good with wealthy seafood dishes, like langoustines, in addition to a niçoise salad.
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Wine knowledgeable Henry Jeffreys, together with the BBC Good Meals group, selects all the wines on provide to BBC Good Meals readers. Henry writes about wine for The Guardian and The Spectator, and on his weblog, worldofbooze.wordpress.com. He’s additionally a decide within the Finest Drinks Producer class for the BBC Meals and Farming Awards. His e book, The Residence Bar (£25, Jacqui Small), is out now.
