2024 Gini Soave Classico, Veneto

Bright straw yellow with green reflections. Harmonious on the nose, yellow fruit and some honey, reminiscent of caramelised pears. Precise and fresh on the palate, animating acidity, salty finish.

91 points Falstaff

For more than a century, the Gini family has been one of the great custodians of Soave. With winemaking roots dating back to the early 1900s, the estate is regarded as one of the region's benchmark producers, helping to demonstrate that Soave can stand alongside Italy's finest white wines. Today, brothers Sandro and Claudio Gini continue to farm some of the most prized hillside vineyards in the Classico zone, where volcanic soils and old Garganega vines produce wines of remarkable purity and longevity.

The vineyards lie on the historic slopes of Monteforte d'Alpone, in the heart of Soave Classico. Here, ancient basalt and volcanic soils impart a distinctive mineral character, while the region's cool nights preserve freshness and aromatic detail. The 2024 vintage produced fruit of exceptional balance, allowing the natural elegance of Garganega to shine. Traditional winemaking and extended lees contact contribute texture and complexity without masking the vineyard character.

Pale straw gold with green highlights, the bouquet reveals aromas of white peach, pear and lemon blossom intertwined with notes of chamomile, almond and crushed stone. The palate is beautifully layered and refined, offering flavours of ripe citrus, yellow apple and nectarine supported by a subtle saline edge. A silky texture provides depth, while bright acidity and volcanic minerality bring precision and length. The finish is long, fresh and savoury, lingering with notes of citrus peel, almond and wet stone.

A superb partner for grilled calamari, spaghetti alle vongole, baked snapper with herbs, zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta or a fennel and orange salad. Equally enjoyable as an aperitif, it combines freshness and complexity in equal measure. While delicious now, it will continue to evolve gracefully over the next five to seven years, developing additional honeyed and nutty nuances.