Recioto di Gambellara

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG Rare find

DOCG 2008 - 100% Garganega sweet white from dried grapes, Vicenza volcanic basalt, Calvarina volcano, Classico/Spumante styles

Region profile

History

Gambellara zone shares Garganega grape with neighboring Soave but sits on volcanic basalt soils (Calvarina volcano) rather than Soave's limestone. "Recioto" name comes from Veronese dialect "recia" (ear), referring to the top "ears" of grape clusters with best sun exposure, selected for drying. Dried-grape sweet wine tradition dates to Roman era in Veneto. DOCG status granted 2008, recognizing Gambellara's distinct volcanic terroir. Spumante sweet sparkling version developed as modern innovation on traditional passito style. Garganega's high acidity balances sweetness from dried grapes.

Climate: Continental climate; Vicenza province; volcanic basalt soils; Calvarina volcano location; Gambellara zone; hillside vineyards; well-drained volcanic terroir; 100% Garganega dried grapes; neighbor to Soave (shares Garganega grape)
Signature wines: Recioto di Gambellara DOCG (100% Garganega, sweet white dried-grape, volcanic basalt soils, honeyed apricot dried fruit); Recioto di Gambellara Spumante DOCG (sweet sparkling version)
What sets it apart: 100% Garganega sweet white (Soave's grape); volcanic basalt soils (Calvarina volcano) vs Soave's limestone; DOCG 2008; dried-grape appassimento; "Recioto" from "recia" (ear - top grape clusters); Classico + Spumante styles; Vicenza province; volcanic minerality; Roman-era dried-grape tradition; high-acid Garganega balances sweetness

Facts

DOCG 2008
100% Garganega (Soave's grape)
sweet white from dried grapes (appassimento)
Vicenza province
volcanic basalt soils from Calvarina volcano
two types: Classico (historic zone) and Spumante (sweet sparkling)
neighbor to Soave di Gambellara DOC
"Recioto" = traditional Veneto dried-grape sweet wine name (from "recia" = ear, referring to top grape clusters)
volcanic minerality distinct from Soave limestone