Pieropan, "Calvarino" Soave Classico

€32.99

This monumental wine was the first ever single-vineyard Soave. Now, that may not sound like much, but in the specifics of really high-quality white wine-making, this is a big deal. Made from the same old vines since 1971, this is impressive, intense and savoury, yet balanced, fresh and saline on the finish, making it exceptional as a food pairing.

Fresh floral notes of elderflower, citrus and cherry blossom, this wine has such a pretty nose that when the richer, focused palate turns up you can sometimes be overwhelmed... for a second or two. Then it's all deliciousness and elegance, finesse and superb complexity on a very long finish.

Grown in the most text-book classic of Soave Classico soils, the vineyards are full of volcanic basalt that gives excellent drainage and provides the structure beneath the ground to allow for the vines to really take hold in the soils of the steep Soave hills.

In the cellar, this wine is fermented and aged in concrete tanks, with less ageing for a year after ferment to allow for the retention of complexity and flavour development. Unoaked and complex with minerality and salinity, this reads a bit like a Chablis 1er Cru, but it possesses genuine Italianate charm and is slightly less of a pain in the wallet.

The Pieropan family are one of the chief reasons that Soave has any real credibility in the present day. Pioneering against mass-volume production in the 1970s they were totally focused on high quality and potential in the vineyards, rather than making a quick buck from a famous region. This spade-work has left them not just at the top of the tree (possibly) but as an endearing and influential voice in the DOCG and the community at large. There are other producers in the region who similarly have worked with Valpolicella, for example, refusing to take the 'shilling' in order to preserve what is best about the region, difficult and unrewarding though this pursuit can be.

The Calvarino bottling is one of the celebrations of this work: you know it's expensive, but that it is worth every penny you spend and so much more. Without this wine, so much could have been forgotten and lost. Raise a glass and say thank you...

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Grape(s): Trebbiano, Garganega

Style: Vibrant, Svelte, Smooth, Organic, Mineral, Iconic, Fruity, Fresh, Engaging, Elegant, Electric, Dry, Complex, Bright, Balanced

Best food matches: Wild Boar, Warm Salads, Trout, Tapas, Sushi, Squid, Shellfish, Seafood, Scallops, Salads, Roasts, Poultry, Pork, Pasta, Oysters, Mature Cheeses, Lobster, Lamb, Hard Cheeses, Grills, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Asparagus, Aperitif

Alcohol: 12.5%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.