In the glass
Aroma: golden apple, hazelnut, almond, white peach, honey, tufa mineral, toasted oak
Palate: almond paste, golden apple, hazelnut, cream, saline mineral, vanilla
La Rocca is 100% Garganega from the volcanic tufa hillside above Soave castle, barrel-fermented and aged. Develops hazelnut-honey complexity over 10-plus years while retaining the grape's almond-mineral core.
What it pairs with
-
Risotto al tartufo bianco
White truffle's intense mineral-honey character finds a perfect complement in La Rocca's hazelnut-cream register. -
Lobster with butter and tarragon
Rich crustacean fat and the wine's golden apple-hazelnut weight are a classic luxury pairing. -
Veal carpaccio with aged Monte Veronese
The wine's oak weight and almond mineral backbone bridge the delicate veal and hard cheese.
How to serve Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Risotto al tartufo bianco, Lobster with butter and tarragon, Veal carpaccio with aged Monte Veronese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
La Rocca was the first barrel-aged Soave, introducing French oak to the appellation in 1978. Named for the volcanic tufa hillside below Soave castle, the single-vineyard Garganega plot produces a wine of exceptional density and ageing capacity, demonstrating that Garganega on volcanic soil is one of Italy's greatest white wine grapes.
- 1978 — First La Rocca single-vineyard barrel-fermented Soave, pioneering oak in the appellation
Facts
- Producer
- Pieropan
- Grapes
- Garganega (100%)
- Classification
- Soave Classico DOC
- Oak
- Fermented and aged 8 months in small French oak barriques; first introduced barriques to Soave
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €40-60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1978
Frequently asked about Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca
What does Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca taste like?
On the nose, golden apple, hazelnut, almond, white peach, honey. On the palate, almond paste, golden apple, hazelnut, cream, saline mineral. Structurally medium-bodied, low tannins, high acidity with a long finish. La Rocca is 100% Garganega from the volcanic tufa hillside above Soave castle, barrel-fermented and aged. Develops hazelnut-honey complexity over 10-plus years while retaining the grape's almond-mineral core.
When should I drink Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca?
Drink 5-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca?
Risotto al tartufo bianco is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Lobster with butter and tarragon and Veal carpaccio with aged Monte Veronese. White truffle's intense mineral-honey character finds a perfect complement in La Rocca's hazelnut-cream register.
What grapes are in Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca?
The blend is Garganega (100%). The wine is classified as Soave Classico DOC.