SAQ Veneto IGP ‘Venda’ 2018, A.A. Vignalta, Italy
Ingenuous Red
The Colli Euganei appellation in Veneto is fascinating in many respects, and the estates that work there are just as much so, even when they present us with wines ‘declassified’ to IGP. In the case of this Venda from the Vignalta estate, let’s look past the label that evokes a banquet in Saint-Léonard to focus on the precision of the terroir and the winemaking mastery of Lucio Gomiero, even though the wine is a Veneto IGP.
Since 1980, the latter has farmed 50 hectares on the volcanic slopes of the best terroirs in this region, which is actually a protected natural park. Colli Euganei is the direct result of a volcanic eruption that pushed the mountain upward and brought chalky soils from the Po Valley, complementing the disintegrated lava soils. The gentle slopes of today are therefore perfectly suited to crafting wines that are rich, yet delicate, pushing Merlots and Cabernets to the limits of freshness and balance.
This 2018 Venda (still 6 years of evolution for $21) is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from 15-year-old vines, which are partially harvested as whole clusters for extra freshness. 12 to 24 months of aging in neutral barrels rounds it all out to offer you a surprising wine.
Although likely not designed for aging at the time of bottling, the price-pleasure ratio is definitely there and will be even better with a quick decant.
- To pair with it: a BBQ-grilled beef burger juicy enough to coat a high-altitude Merlot,
- A bit of trivia: Being at the same latitude as Bordeaux, it seemed quite natural to replant Bordeaux varieties following the forced uprooting caused by phylloxera in the 18th century, which incidentally wiped out the region's native varieties…
- To better understand Veneto: Sign up for the waiting list for our autumn workshop,
- Travel through time and the appellation with the same producer, who is still offering a few bottles of their 2017 Colli Euganei Rosso Riserva (60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet), $27 at the SAQ (10705071)
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