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Mark's Italian Job
Day 2 - Allegrini
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Cantina Sociale di Monteforte
There is something quite comforting about a Cantina Sociale as all the local farmers have banded together and created started producing wines of quite a high standard at a very competitive price. The Cantina is situated on the outskirts of Monteforte di Soave, the other main town in the region. Established in 1952 and now representing 600 members the Cantina is run by a board of 14 elected administrators who are voted for by the members every 4 years. The winery is by regular standards quite advanced technologically with temperature controlled Vats and state of the art presses. As we walk around you cannot help but admire the logistical skills required to press more wine each morning than Pieropan deal with in two vintages. We try the wines and although not as reserved or heart racingly exiting but still offer great value and region typicity.
We currently stock the following wines from Cantina Sociale di Monteforte:
Soave Classico ‘Terre di Monteforte’ 2005
Cantina Valpantena
We travel from Soave to Valpolicella to visit our second Cantina Sociale of the day. Valpantena started in 1958 and has 350 members currently supplying grapes. The set up is similar to C.S di Monteforte both in terms of administration and in terms of the quality of its equipment. The two Cantina Sociale’s are have actually been working quite closely recently in order to produce a range of wines that includes both reds (Valpolicella) and whites (Soave, Pinot Grigio). The one major difference is Valpantena’s production of reds requires more investment in oak barrels. A large barrel room is filled with various sized oak casks containing precious litres of Valpolicella and Amarone wines. After a short tasting and riveting DVD we are on our way to our 4 course lunch engagement in 35 degree heat.
Allegrini
At Allegrini we meet up with an American group who are also in the region to visit some local wineries (some more on that later). The estate is family controlled with Marilisa heading the sales side of things. This is one of the real success stories of the region with much of it down to Marilisa’s drive and enthusiasm. The size of the winery is somewhat larger than Pieropan but nowhere near that of the Cantina Sociale. The highlights being a custom built production facility that is used to make the famed Amarone wines and the chalky white vineyard of La Poja. In the evening we were entertained at the winery and I am pleased to report team GB beat team America in the Grappa contest. We were then whisked back to our hotel before any serious breakdown in diplomatic relations.
After a short drive we arrive back at the Hotel, it is now 12.45 and the more sensible (read older) members of the group turn in. The rest off us our group was once again sucked into the vacuum of the bar for a few hours.
We currently stock the following wines from Allegrini:
Valpolicella Classico 2005
Amarone 2001
La Poja 2000
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