2020 Prá, Soave Classico DOC “Otto” Veneto, Italy.
Another brilliant example of just how good these modern Soave wines can be by Prá, one of the best producers here in the greater Veneto area, who put on a good display at this year’s Slow Wine tasting event in San Francisco. The Otto Soave Classico DOC from this 2020 vintage is wonderfully expressive, lively with good acidity and nicely textural in mouth feel, making it quite impressive and deep, especially for the price, this crisply detailed white flows gracefully, but brightly across the palate with juicy dry citrus fruits, plus white peach and white cherry notes, along with crushed stones, verbena, almond oil, delicate florals and spices. The Prá Otto Soave Classico DOC is made from Garganega, it is a white grape variety believed to be native to northern Italy and chiefly cultivated here in the hills around the ancient town of Soave, just east of Verona and near Lake Garda.

Prá is a historic, benchmark producer of Soave, along with Pieropan, Inama and Gini, and an often under-the-radar, as well as a solid producer of Valpolicella and famous also for Amarone, with vineyards that are all certified organic. Winemaker and grower, Graziano Prà uses grapes grown on volcanic soils with basalt and chalk for his Otto Soave that are entirely made of Garganega, the native varietal found here. The Otto, named after Graziano’s dog, sees stainless steel tank fermentation and aging, with no oak being used, getting six months in tank to mature and it reveals absolute purity of form and has a transparent personality and charm, it is an excellent sipper and food wine. I had a hard choice deciding between the Prá wines to review here, all of them deserve great attention and all were beautifully crafted, but I went with the Otto Soave because of it’s value and ease of use, it is a great way to start exploring this winery and the region and I highly recommend it.
($23 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive

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