THE SOILS
THE SOILS
The historic area of Soave, known as the Soave Classico, is a series of hills and valleys formed by a geological transformation which began more than 90 million years ago.
The volcanic hills
The volcanic soils compose a large portion of the hillside production of Soave wines, and are located in the central to eastern area of the Lessinia where there was intense volcanic activity. The activity spanned three geological eras, entirely in a marine environment. This gave way to the formation of soils ranging in color, from grey, to yellow, to reddish caused by the peculiarity of the environment and the levels of oxidation. The hills with a decidedly basalt substrate are in the eastern area with altitudes that vary from 50 to 500 meters above sea level. Slopes gradients vary from 10° to as steep as 80°. The soils are quite evolved, and contrary to the high acidity usually found in ancient soils, here the ph level is neutral. It is hypothesised that the soil has become more fertile, with higher mineral content due to cultivation since antiquity. The wines are fragrant, fresh and generally have higher acidity. They tend to be more complex and very well balanced. Notes of cinnamon are a result of the high levels of benzonoids and are accompanied by aromas of cherry and almond. The wines have an intensity and structure difficult to find in other areas of Soave.
The volcanic hills
The volcanic soils compose a large portion of the hillside production of Soave wines, and are located in the central to eastern area of the Lessinia where there was intense volcanic activity. The activity spanned three geological eras, entirely in a marine environment. This gave way to the formation of soils ranging in color, from grey, to yellow, to reddish caused by the peculiarity of the environment and the levels of oxidation. The hills with a decidedly basalt substrate are in the eastern area with altitudes that vary from 50 to 500 meters above sea level. Slopes gradients vary from 10° to as steep as 80°. The soils are quite evolved, and contrary to the high acidity usually found in ancient soils, here the ph level is neutral. It is hypothesised that the soil has become more fertile, with higher mineral content due to cultivation since antiquity. The wines are fragrant, fresh and generally have higher acidity. They tend to be more complex and very well balanced. Notes of cinnamon are a result of the high levels of benzonoids and are accompanied by aromas of cherry and almond. The wines have an intensity and structure difficult to find in other areas of Soave.
The limestone hills
The stratified limestone soils are situated on the hillsides in the western area of the denomination. The soils tend to be shallow, often less than 50 cm deep, with a dense substrate of rock. Heading down to the valley, the soil has more depth and becomes more fertile. The variability of the substrate creates highly heterogenous growing conditions, which if well-managed, prove to be beneficial to the wine makers. Some of the most elegant Soave wines come from this area, and are known for their aromatic complexity, with notes of mature and exotic fruit given by the high levels of norisoprenoids. Also evident, are floral and citrus aromas due to the levels of terpenes in the grapes.
The plain of volcanic origin
The non-calcareous soils are mainly in the Monteforte Valley which represents one of the most fertile areas of Soave. The altitudes vary from 30 to 100 meters above sea level. The soil is high in clay content and volcanic debris deposited from the volcanic hills above. Seasonal temperatures are below average. The clay soils are more drought resistant due to the permeability, resulting in wines with more consistency across vintages. The wines have evident notes of cinnamon, spices, wild berries and cherries. The deep soils confer high acidity, for wines that are particularly fresh and balanced with persistent aromas.
The limestone plain
The alluvial valley soils were deposited in the valleys as an effect of intense precipitation which provoked the flooding of local streams in the Alpone valley and the foothills in the Verona area. The consistency is mostly fine, although in the areas of canals, can become quite sandy and rocky. This is the soil type most frequently found in the plain-lands of the Soave and Colognola. The wines show aromatic finesse, with an intensity and persistence difficult to find in other areas of the Doc. The most common aromas recall the scent of violets and white flowers.
The limestone hills
The stratified limestone soils are situated on the hillsides in the western area of the denomination. The soils tend to be shallow, often less than 50 cm deep, with a dense substrate of rock. Heading down to the valley, the soil has more depth and becomes more fertile. The variability of the substrate creates highly heterogenous growing conditions, which if well-managed, prove to be beneficial to the wine makers. Some of the most elegant Soave wines come from this area, and are known for their aromatic complexity, with notes of mature and exotic fruit given by the high levels of norisoprenoids. Also evident, are floral and citrus aromas due to the levels of terpenes in the grapes.
The plain of volcanic origin
The non-calcareous soils are mainly in the Monteforte Valley which represents one of the most fertile areas of Soave. The altitudes vary from 30 to 100 meters above sea level. The soil is high in clay content and volcanic debris deposited from the volcanic hills above. Seasonal temperatures are below average. The clay soils are more drought resistant due to the permeability, resulting in wines with more consistency across vintages. The wines have evident notes of cinnamon, spices, wild berries and cherries. The deep soils confer high acidity, for wines that are particularly fresh and balanced with persistent aromas.
The limestone plain
The alluvial valley soils were deposited in the valleys as an effect of intense precipitation which provoked the flooding of local streams in the Alpone valley and the foothills in the Verona area. The consistency is mostly fine, although in the areas of canals, can become quite sandy and rocky. This is the soil type most frequently found in the plain-lands of the Soave and Colognola. The wines show aromatic finesse, with an intensity and persistence difficult to find in other areas of the Doc. The most common aromas recall the scent of violets and white flowers.