2016 Soave Classico Superiore Foscarino

You get great value with the 2016 Soave Classico Foscarino. This is a pure expression of Garganega (with 40,000 bottles made) that is both fermented and aged in oak. That six months of barrique has developed the wine's natural structure and the generous sense of volume that it shows in the mouth. Apricot and passion fruit are followed by almond and light saffron spice. Serve it with a chicken dish and a side of baked fennel with béchamel.

Normally from south-east-facing slopes of Monte Foscarino, with the less intense sunshine, to avoid sunburn – important for the 12-hour skin contact, to avoid caramelised character. Fourth-use and older oak barrels used for fermentation, with 35-hl Stockinger barrels to be used in future. pH typically around 3.6, so salinity is important for freshness. Mid gold. Almond nut, with flinty and smoky depth. Some dried sage. Spicy edge to pear and sage, with phenolic tones. Stony, sapid character, with a saltiness – though less than Gini or Suavia wines. Bright not brisk acidity, but the saltiness carries freshness. Long. (TJ)

100% Garganega from their oldest vines. 6 – 12 hours’ skin contact for richness. Fermented in old barriques.  Pale lemon-gold with a marked smoky-flinty mineral nose, evocative of the old volcanic rock on which the vines sit. Nutty, spicy oak tones in the background. Ripe, baked-apple flavours, again a flinty-smoky firmness, some saltiness, and plenty of depth and complexity. Juicy, brisk acidity. Balances fruit-sweetness and savoury character well. Long. (TJ)