Fruity aroma of Garganega, the characteristic color of Trebbianello and the slightly aromatic scents of Bianca Fernanda, as well as the peculiar characteristics of the other white grape varieties define the grapes grown in this area. Should you decide to visit this four-season, family-owned and operated winery, be prepared for a bespoke experience that goes well beyond a traditional wine tasting.

Lena di Mezzo is at 250-450 metres altitude, bringing fresh drying winds to Pergola-trained vines aged 18-39. Corvina/Corvinone accounts for 80%, the remainder being Rondinella. First, fresh grapes ferment in steel before adding air-dried grapes. This induces a second slow fermentation in concrete tanks. Maturation is then for 24 months in large older French oak casks, not for wood flavours, but for micro-oxygenation to smooth the wines out. After this comes bottling under cork and a final six months rest before release. The 50th anniversary of the appellation was an opportunity to restart and make our wine known and appreciated both in Italy and abroad,” she adds. As with the ‘straight’ Custoza, there really isn’t an issue around vintages. We’ve been raving about this particular wine since the 2013 vintage. You could buy a case of the 2021 (which is what I most recently tasted) and drink a bottle a year and I’d put money on the prediction that every time you taste it, the wine will be glorious. In fact, I’d like nothing better than to taste a vertical of this wine. It is worth way more than twice the price it commands. Sip for sip, it’s even more insanely under-priced than their estate Custoza. According to the guidelines, Custoza DOC is obtained from at least 70% of the three symbolic local grapes: Garganega, first mentioned in 1495 by De Crescenzi, Trebbianello (a local biotype of Friulian Tocai, present in Veneto and Friuli as early as the eighteenth century and corresponding to the French Sauvignonasse) and Bianca Fernanda (a local clone of Cortese).Intense on the nose, with floral notes (rose, jasmine, linden) and spiced with saffron. Complex yet well-paced on the palate. It has flavour, softness and makes for a pleasant and memorable drink.

Food pairing? Anything. Really. Both wines have the mettle, depth, breadth and vitality, but also, most importantly, dignified grace, to pair with pretty much anything. I say ‘dignified grace’ because these are not shouty, showy wines that will overshadow delicate dishes. At the same time, they have the gumption to hold their own with shouty, showy food. You could pair these wines across the spectrum, from ceviche to steak. I recently had a meal with the most beautiful roast venison, and I wish I could have tried this wine with it. I’m willing to bet good money it would have outstripped the red wines we had on the table. There are few wines, red and white, I can think of which could be this catholic and generous when it comes to food. The village is famous for two battles fought during the Italian Independence Wars: the first in 1848 and the second in 1866, both against the Austrian Empire. [4] In memory of them, the architect Giacomo Franco built the Ossuary of Custoza ( Italian: Ossario di Custoza), a war grave and memorial building opened in 1879. [5] [6] Geography [ edit ] Located 10 minutes from both Verona and Lake Garda, Custoza’s strategic position is key to tourism in the region, which is dotted with theme parks, gardens, paths, nature trails, extremely close to cities of art.Slightly further south and more to the east, we get montepulciano coming in, which again has some of these lovely red-berry fruit flavours, but slightly lower tannin levels. All of these beautiful white wines have a bit more richness to them and they are perfect with some of the vegetables and salads that really thrive in that area of Italy as well. From a historical point of view, the Custoza lands were the scene of the most important wars of independence fought in Italy (1848-1866), of which there are monuments and historical references.

The designation includes nine municipalities: Sommacampagna, Villafranca di Verona, Valeggio sul Mincio, Peschiera del Garda, Castelnuovo Veronese, Sona, Bussolengo, Pastrengo, Lazise.Perhaps the biggest sustainable project will be the redevelopment of the winery to include solar power and wastewater management and allow micro-vinifications of individual vineyard plots. This will commence this summer, and the project’s scale is such that it will have a significant positive impact on sustainability while taking 4-5 years to complete. The wines Custoza in its entry level form represents around 98% of the wine produced, but it can also be found in its Superiore form, which is made from the grapes of the best-positioned, oldest, lowest-yielding vineyards – which are also generally the most challenging to manage. Our ampelographic wealth has now led to the rediscovery of our wine as a modern wine,’ said Luciano Piona. ‘Its un-exaggerated yet balanced aroma makes it popular with women and the younger generations.’