In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: dark cherry, blackcurrant, tobacco, cedar, dark chocolate, dried herbs, spice

Palate: black cherry, espresso, cedar, dark plum, graphite, dried herbs

A 15-variety blend in the Veronese IGT classification, Harlequin is Gaspari's conceptual statement: every grape variety grown across Zyme's vineyards co-fermented after partial drying, producing a complex, layered wine with extraordinary aromatic diversity.

What it pairs with

  • Braised wild boar with truffle and root vegetable
    The wine's multi-variety complexity and high tannin demand the richest possible game dish.
  • Aged Valtellina Casera
    Mountain hard cheese with good salinity balances the wine's dense concentration.

How to serve Zyme Harlequin Veronese IGT

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Braised wild boar with truffle and root vegetable, Aged Valtellina Casera. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Harlequin is Zyme's conceptual blend, representing Celestino Gaspari's artistic approach: all 15 grape varieties grown on the estate are harvested, partially dried and co-fermented. It is a unique and radical departure from normal DOC and IGT blending conventions.

  1. 2006 — First Harlequin Veronese IGT release as 15-variety co-ferment

Facts

Producer
Zyme
Grapes
Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, Molinara, Negrara, Croatina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Classification
Veronese IGT
Oak
Aged 24 months in a combination of French barriques and larger casks
ABV
15.0%
Price
€150-250 at retail
Drinking window
10-25 from vintage
First vintage
2006

Frequently asked about Zyme Harlequin Veronese IGT

What does Zyme Harlequin Veronese IGT taste like?

On the nose, dark cherry, blackcurrant, tobacco, cedar, dark chocolate. On the palate, black cherry, espresso, cedar, dark plum, graphite. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A 15-variety blend in the Veronese IGT classification, Harlequin is Gaspari's conceptual statement: every grape variety grown across Zyme's vineyards co-fermented after partial drying, producing a complex, layered wine with extraordinary aromatic diversity.

When should I drink Zyme Harlequin Veronese IGT?

Drink 10-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Zyme Harlequin Veronese IGT?

Braised wild boar with truffle and root vegetable is the canonical pairing; Aged Valtellina Casera is the other strong match. The wine's multi-variety complexity and high tannin demand the richest possible game dish.

What grapes are in Zyme Harlequin Veronese IGT?

The blend is Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, Molinara, Negrara, Croatina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah. The wine is classified as Veronese IGT.

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