Tamellini Metodo Classico Millesimato '17

The Tamellini family has been cultivating vineyards for four generations, historically having sold its fruit through the co-op system. But in 1998 the brothers Gaetano and Pio Francesco decided to found their own winery with the aim of producing unique wine from their grapes rather than selling the fruit to others. Gaetano tends to the growth and production of the vineyards, while Pio heads the winemaking. Their vineyards are in the heart of Soave, near Verona, and, in the vineyards and the cellar, they work as naturally as possible.

This traditional-method sparkling wine is made solely from the Garganega variety, grown on calcareous and volcanic soils. The grapes are handpicked, and the whole clusters are gently pressed. The tirage takes place in June, and the wine undergoes second fermentation in the bottle, with at least five years of aging in the bottle. The combination of ripe fruit and aging makes this a rounder example of sparkling wine, with notes of yellow apple, peach, and white flowers, along with richer notes of crème brûlée and custard. This is excellent on its own but would be great with a range of cheeses or richer dishes.