Giuseppe Quintarelli Bianco Secco Ca' del Merlo Veneto IGT 2023

Giuseppe Quintarelli Bianco Secco Ca' del Merlo Veneto IGT 2023

Giuseppe Quintarelli
$60.00

Grape: Garganega, Trebbiano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Saorin
Vintage: 2023
Type: White

Produced from the historic Ca' del Merlo vineyard in the Veneto, this dry white wine co-ferments five distinct varieties. The Quintarelli family monitors a slow, low-intervention vinification process, utilizing hand-harvested fruit from plots rich in basalt and limestone. Spontaneous fermentation occurs with native wild yeasts in neutral stainless steel tanks, completely avoiding modern chemical adjustments. It rests undisturbed on its fine fermentation lees for several months to encourage natural structural harmony and subtle texture prior to bottling.

It pours a bright lemon-yellow color, releasing clean aromatics of white peach, grapefruit rind, apricot, and white flowers. On the palate, the medium-bodied frame balances orchard fruit flavors with an underlying stony mineral undercurrent. A zesty, electric acidity slices directly through the round mouthfeel, providing excellent structural tension and freshness. The short lees contact contributes a subtle texture that rounds out mid-palate cleanly. It finishes dry and persistent, leaving an elegant saline impression.

Giuseppe Quintarelli is a legendary winemaker from the Valpolicella region of Italy, renowned for creating some of the world's most sought-after and collectible wines. Affectionately known as "Il Maestro del Veneto," the late Quintarelli, who passed away in 2012, established a legacy of uncompromising quality, a deep commitment to tradition, and an intense focus on patiently aging his wines. The estate is now run by his daughter, Fiorenza, and her family, who continue his meticulous methods. The Quintarelli winery is famous for its use of the appassimento method, which involves drying harvested grapes on traditional rush mats or racks for several months. This concentrates the flavors and sugars, leading to more intense and complex wines. His wines, especially the flagship Amarone, are aged for exceptionally long periods in large, neutral Slavonian oak barrels (botti)—up to 8 to 10 years or more—before bottling. This slow aging process results in wines of remarkable grace, depth, and persistence.