2018 Le Fraghe Bardolino ‘Brol Grande’

Region: Bardolino < Veneto < Italy

Grapes: Garganega

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming, hand harvested, whole cluster fermentation and aging in concrete tanks, bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added So2; 12.5% ABV

Winemaker: Matilde Poggi

Nothing says Italy! and lake vacation! like Lake Como. Take away George Clooney and high prices, and you have Lake Garda, which is actually the largest lake in Italy and also happens to be located right between the Trentino and Veneto wine regions. It’s the latter that is the origin of this wine, and the vineyards lie very near the lake itself, in the town of Bardolino.  We've big fans of the everyday-drinking organic wine from the young and talented Matilde Poggi, but her higher-end, concrete-aged Bardolino really blew us away.

The Brol Grande vineyard abuts a stone wall, and catches the reflection of light and heat from the sun. Matilde selects the grapes that grow here to make this more structured, hefty cuvée. However, we see when we open the bottle that it is still light, juicy and refreshing! Grapes are macerated for only 7-8 days and aging happens in concrete tank so we sense only those delightful fruit tannins. It is bright and bouncy on the palate - perfectly ‘mid-weight’ - and is fine to drink as an aperitif but will accompany the menu at any type of dinner with grace (hello T-day, we’re talking to you!)