In the glass
Aroma: ripe cherry, blackberry, cedar, violet, volcanic mineral
Palate: dark fruit, fine tannins, herbal note, long mineral finish
Gemola is the flagship red of Vignalta and one of the Veneto's most distinctive non-Valpolicella reds. The volcanic basalt soils of the Euganean Hills give a distinctive mineral thread to this Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend that is unlike the softer alluvial reds of the plain.
What it pairs with
-
Roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary
Firm tannins and cedar-herbal notes complement herb-roasted lamb. -
Duck breast with cherry sauce
Cherry fruit in the wine mirrors the sauce while structure handles the rich duck fat. -
Mushroom risotto with Parmigiano
Mineral and herbal thread of the wine echo the earthy depth of mushrooms.
History
Vignalta was founded in 1980 but only began producing Gemola from the estate's best volcanic parcels in 1989. The Euganean Hills' basaltic and trachytic volcanic soils give a distinctive mineral character to red wines that distinguishes them from the more famous Valpolicella and Soave zones. Gemola has become the reference red wine of this often-overlooked volcanic appellation.
- 1989 — Vignalta first releases Gemola as a Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend from the volcanic Euganean Hills.
Facts
- Producer
- Vignalta
- Grapes
- Merlot (60%), Cabernet Franc (40%)
- Classification
- Colli Euganei Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 18 months in French oak barriques, mix new and used
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 28-42 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1989