2021 Pieropan Recioto di Soave Le Colombare 500ml, Veneto

Pieropan has been inseparable from Soave since 1880, when the family established its estate in the medieval town at the heart of the appellation. Generations of Pieropans helped transform the reputation of Soave, with the late Leonildo Pieropan particularly influential in demonstrating what Garganega could achieve from the region’s best hillside vineyards. Le Colombare turns that story towards the sweet side, using carefully selected grapes and the traditional appassimento process to create one of the estate’s most distinctive wines.

Garganega destined for Recioto is harvested with concentration in mind, then dried for months to intensify its sugars, flavours and aromas before fermentation. Soave’s volcanic hills and Garganega’s natural freshness are crucial, preventing the resulting sweetness from becoming cloying. The excellent 2021 vintage gives Le Colombare richness and depth, but underneath all that luscious fruit is enough acidity and gentle bitterness to keep the wine beautifully composed.

Deep luminous gold, with dried apricot, peach preserve and candied orange leading into quince paste and acacia honey. Chamomile, saffron and ginger appear with air, followed by toasted almond and a faint waxy note. The palate is luscious and silky, filled with apricot and citrus marmalade, while fresh acidity provides lift. Orange peel and almond skin introduce a subtle bitterness before a long finish of honey, dried stone fruit and spice.

Apricot and almond crostata would be wonderful, alongside blue cheese with pear, ricotta cheesecake with orange, panettone or simply toasted almonds and aged Parmigiano. Our pick is the blue cheese and pear, keeping the food relatively simple and letting the Recioto handle dessert duties.

Cellaring: Beautiful now, with potential to develop to 2040+.