Compared to Soave, Valpolicella or the Prosecco strongholds in the north, the Colli Euganei lead a rather shadowy existence in Veneto’s wine culture; and yet for some time now wines have been produced there that rank among the most exciting in Italy’s largest wine region. This is due not only to the talent of the many winemakers working there, but above all to the geological and topographical configuration of the hills, which are astonishingly diverse even by the standards of Veneto’s already geodiverse landscapes.
The Colli Euganei are topographical manifestations of volcanic eruptions that occurred around 30 million years ago, when the volcanoes that were formed rose like islands from the sea that once covered them. The sea has since retreated as far as Chioggia, some 50 kilometres away, yet the geological fingerprints of that ancient deluge still shape the soils of the hill range today.
In Nevio Scala’s vineyards, both volcanic and sandy soils can be found. These are the soils in which the vines for Dilètto take root, a single-varietal Garganega whose character and originality are shaped by precisely these conditions in Soave and Gambellara, its two historic epicentres. In the still young vineyards, Claudio Scala follows a sustainable regime, harvests the grapes by hand, ferments them spontaneously and then matures the wine for eight months in concrete tanks.
Style
Soft and rounded yet powerful, compact and eminently drinkable. Floral notes and stone-fruit aromas define the nose. On the palate, a stony, cool note takes over and settles into a creamy, dense texture, accompanied by a present but never aggressive acidity. The progression across the palate is precise and linear, with a fruit-driven, persistent finish.
Technical Sheet
Grape variety: Garganega
Vineyard: At the foot of the Colli Euganei; volcanic soils
Harvest: By hand
Fermentation: Spontaneous | wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks
Ageing: 8 months in concrete
Filtration: No
SO₂: < 25 mg/l
Alcohol: 12% vol.
Closure: Screw cap
Serving temperature: 10–12 °C
Optimal drinking window: Now – 2030
Bottle size: 0.75 l
All winemakers listed by Vinonudo work their vineyards using compost, organic fertilisers and natural preparations, and refrain from the use of herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilisers.
