The Giarola Estate
Giarola is located in Palazzolo di Sona, in the province of Verona, near the Garda Lake, in those regions which are geographically ideally suited for the production of Bardolino and Custoza wine.
These morainic terrains have a particular historic importance and they originate in the Quaternary glacial period when ice retired itself, leaving behind finely triturated rocks and rubble, transforming them in fine clay, ideal for vintage wines.
The mild and temperate climate and the strategic position in the inland around Garda lake, where lace-like sunshine and gentle breezes create the right climate for a luxuriant vegetation, are the elements which brought about the d.o.c. and d.o.c.g. denominations for all production areas of the company.
Since 1923 the land of Giarola family has been cultivated with vines and in 1968 Umberto Giarola began with the vinification of grapes. In last years, we have many developments and decidedly radical changes.
They are all founded in the philosophy which inspires the company and we can sum up in the following concept: "Respect for the Environment and Love for Nature".
Firmly adhering to this principles, the company has always been able to be in the vanguard and move with the times. Important examples are the total renewal of the vineyards and the implementation of the double curtain breeding system with a density of 6.000 plants per hectare; the controlled ground-irrigation system in case of drought in order to avoid stress to the vines maintaining the quality of the fruit. The company has invested heavily in land, machinery and staff not only in order to grow in numbers, but also to refine the techniques for grape-growing and winemaking.
Main “people” of the company are Umberto, the father and his sons Michele and Valeriano. Umberto supervises the various production processes and coordinates, in particular he works in the vineyards and the winemaking process itself.
The job of Valeriano, with his father, concerned in oenological processes and the fields. As far as Valeriano concerned, he also works for the packaging sector. During the first phase particular importance is given to the repeated soil- and leaf-analysis in order to ascertain the presence of all nutritional elements necessary for the balanced development of the plant.
Very important is the cold maceration for Custoza Elite and Garganega Monte Cristo tardy vintage. Michele has an important role: the commercial development of the company. In fact he goes in the best restaurants and wine shops throughout Italy also crossing the borders of Germany, Switzerland and Canada, to attract attention of our products. This gives rise to hope and sustains an ambitious project: to raise the image of Giarola wines to the highest level worldwide, maintaining direct contact with the company, in order to guarantee personally the quality of the product. The union of tradition and innovation offers consumers an ample choice of wines, able to satisfy the palate of those in search of high quality.
The Giarola Vineyard
The estate spreads over 12 hectares (30 acres) of vineyard planted to sandy, gravelly soil ideal for grape growing.
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Elvio Cogno Pre-Phylloxera Barbera d'Alba is made from 100 percent Barbera.
Produced from one of the last archaic vines of the Langhe area, an open air museum of viticulture from a time gone by, the plants are over one hundred years old. The vines are not grafted but propagated through cuttings, thus maintaining, over the decades, the original Barbera characteristics.
The vineyard has an excellent exposure and sandy-chalky terrain, situated in Berri near La Morra, which guaranteed the vines a natural protection from Phylloxera and imparts unique and exclusive characteristics to the vines. The intriguing simplicity of the vines and their typical, traditional charm that derives from the microclimate and favorable altitude make a one of-a-kind wine.
The low production per hectare guarantees an intensely rare and rich organoleptic concentration. The wine is refined in oak casks that slowly develop the primary aromas. Pleasant and refined, complex even as a young wine but able to withstand bottle aging, it expresses its solid uniqueness even over the years.
A bright, rich ruby color with intense purplish highlights. The aroma is enveloping, aromatic and deep with noticeable spices on first impression and raspberry, strawberry and ripe cherry notes in background. Finish with pleasant harmonies of wild flowers. On the palate it is well structured, fresh and the acidity is excellently balanced, the tannins texture is embracing and flavors remind you of sour cherries, blackberries and prunes.
Review:
Planted in almost entirely sand, this own-rooted vineyard with some vines over 120 years old is a singular expression of Barbera. Elegant aromas of wild rose and fresh bay leaf mixed with cranberry, sour cherry and underbrush are just some of the notes you will discover in this complex wine. The palate is refined and well-balanced with fresh youthful red fruits, fresh flowers and fine tannins driving the wine home. Drink Now–2035.
-Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
Schwarz Thiele Road Grenache is made from 80 year old 100% Grenache vines.
Thiele Road is a dusty track that crosses Bethany Creek at the foot of the Barossa Ranges. It is home to Jason Schwarz's family's 70 year old, deep rooted Grenache vines that produce wines with complex flavours and plenty of character.
Bouquet: The nose is floral and expressive with raspberry and pepper.
Palate: Red fruits, spice and earth with beautiful balance and structure. Medium weighted with fine acidity. A wine built on complexity and packed with interest.
Planted in 1941. The gnarled, old vines continue to produce fantastic fruit and the quality out of the 2014 vintage was evident. The vines are handpicked, 10% whole bunch and the remainder de-stemmed and into an open fermenter. Before too long the wild yeast population on the grapes kicks off fermentation and that continues with daily gentle pump overs and hand plunging until fermentation is complete and the flavour profile is just right. The wine is then basket pressed and matured in seasoned French oak for 18 months before bottling. Not filtered or fined.