Styles of Soave by Coffele
Verona is one of my favorite cities. Medieval charm highlighted by Roman ruins all within reach of the Soave vineyards. When it comes to Soave, it does not get much more charming than Coffele.
The Coffele family is dedicated to the protection and conservation of the land. It’s not then a surprise then that Coffele was the first certified organic estate in the Soave DOC. The estate consists of 25 hectares largely dedicated to Garganega (gar-GAH-neh-gah). The vineyards sit at a height of 400 meters. The upper-most contain volcanic (basaltic) soils giving wines body and complexity. The southern soils are more calcareous providing wines with higher acidity, finesse and longevity.
The concept of ‘crus’ is usually associated with France. However, the Soave Classico zone also has some crus. A concept, like organic farming, strongly supported by Coffele. The estate’s vineyards sit on four different Soave Classico crus: Ca’Visco, Alzari, Nuj, and Castel Cerino.
Coffele Alzari Soave DOC 2015 Tasting Notes:
The Alzari is made with 100% Garganega from the estates Alzari cru. The winery designates Garganega from this crew for wines they expect will age. Generally higher in alcohol (this one 
has a 13% ABV), grapes are in calcareous soils and come from old, pergola-trained vines.
Sixty percent of the grapes were vinified immediately after harvest. The remaining 40% of grapes went through appassimento, partial drying, for 40 days prior to fermentation. The two were then blended and aged for 10-12 months in 1500 liter oak barrels. The resulting wine is like Soave with attitude.
From start to finish, the balance on this wine is stunning. Floral and warm citrus aromas play off each other and bring to mind dew-heavy white roses and honeysuckle on a warm, late spring evening. The palate is clean with bright, crisp acid. Flavors of juicy tangerine and orange rind flow into perfumed honeysuckle medium finish.
Coffele Millesimato Brut Soave DOC 2016 Tasting Notes:
Also 100% Garganega, from Coffele’s Castel Cerino cru, the Millesimato Brut is slightly lower in 
alcohol than the still Alzari with a 12.5% ABV. The pale, almost silvery-yellow color of the wine seems to reflect the brightness of the aroma profile. Fruity and floral with notes of ripe pear, apple, citrus, and white flowers; the nose is bright and clean and makes you really look forward to tasting the wine.
Voluptuous bubbles fill the mouth and burst in flavors of pear and white flowers but with some added, lightly toasted nutty depth. A clean, if slightly bitter and pity finish brings the flavor to a long and satisfying conclusion.
Drinking these two lovely wines brought me right back to the time I spent in Verona. Getting back there is now a top priority; both to visit the city again and to try more of Coffele’s Soave wines!