Hello we are proud to announce a tasting with Pra wines out of the Veneto
For those of you who already know and love the wines, I will post the wines and prices here.
Some quick bullet points about why I love these wines;
They converted to organic farming. Virtually unheard of in Soave.
The "Otto" Soave is just one of the best deals in Italian white wines.
The Monte Grande Soave ages forever.
The reds- planted much more on limestone soil, they have much more tension than what you are expecting from wines with the words ripasso or Amarone on the label.
For a lover of Beaujolais and Italian wines, the Valpolicella has long been a favorite pizza wine for me.
Prices
Soave Otto 2018 $20
Soave Staforte 2017 $25
Valpolicella 2018 $25
Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 $35
Amarone della Valpolicella 2013 $75
2018 Soave "Otto" - Named after Graziano Pra's dog. Youngest vines are 30 years, the oldest are 65. Aged on lees in tank for 6 months, giving it some weight while still being about energy and freshness.
2017 Soave Staforte - This is a vineyard selection of the higher altitude vineyards. Aged on lees, and with more stirring, for a little longer, but also with a year of bottle age before release.
2018 Valpolicella - As I mentioned, planted on higher elevation sites with active limestone. This is a crunchy, bright featuring the classic blend of grapes. The grapes are left to dry for a few weeks, fermented in stainless, then aged in very large botti.
2017 Valpolicella Ripasso - Classically made. A blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta. Fermentation is the usual, then it is refermented on the skins left over from Amarone. It is still a mineral driven wine with verve, but it picks up some of that dried fruit and floral character, while remaining much lower in alcohol than Amarone.
2013 Amarone della Valpolicella - Traditional blend, and the grapes are air-dried for 2 months, then they ferment, with total maceration time of 2 weeks. After two years in barrique and tonneau, it is blended and aged in large botti. It is in every way what I call a post modern Amarone. Classically made and with classic flavors, but also having freshness.
$10 per person for the tasting. If you buy a bottle from the event that fee is then waived. Cheers!