Pronounced swah-veh. A D.O.C. regional wine from the Veneto area of Italy, around the town of Soave. Soave regional wines are a blend of Garganega and Trebbiano grape varietal. There are three styles of Soave: a dry/still style, a spumanti/sparkling style, and a recioto/sweet style.
Characteristics: Most Soave regional wines are regarded as undistinguished. An exception is those wines produced in the classico area of the Soave D.O.C. which are of a higher quality. General characteristics are a gentle acidity and a straw yellow, sometimes green, appearance. They are delicate and light, flowery, and at times possess a hint of almonds. The finish has a tendency to be slightly bitter.
Ageing: Wines labeled superiore are 1% higher in alcohol and aged for a minimum of 8 months.
Serving temperature: Serve at a temperature of 45º-50º F.
Food pairings: An excellent aperitif, it also pairs well with appetizers, soup, vegetables, rice dishes, and pasta dishes.
