Soave might just be one of Italy’s most misunderstood wines. For years, it was lumped into the “cheap and cheerful” camp — the kind of easy white poured by the carafe in every trattoria across the country. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that real Soave, particularly from the Classico zone, can rival some of the world’s most elegant whites.
And Le Battistelle’s 2024 ‘Montesei’ Soave Classico DOC proves exactly that.
Where is Soave?
Soave hails from the Veneto region in northern Italy — the same region that gives us Valpolicella, Amarone, and Prosecco. The vineyards stretch east of Verona, surrounded by gentle foothills and ancient volcanic soils.
This is where the Garganega grape — one of Italy’s oldest white varieties — has been grown for centuries. It thrives here thanks to the mix of altitude, mineral-rich soil, and that unmistakable Italian sunshine.
Garganega — an ancient grape with modern appeal
Garganega (pronounced gar-GAH-neh-gah) is the backbone of every Soave. It’s a late-ripening grape with thick skins, meaning it can hang longer on the vine without losing freshness.
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The best examples show notes of pear, citrus, almond, and white flowers, but with age they develop honeyed, nutty complexity — a reminder that this humble grape has serious depth.
Soave DOC vs Soave Classico DOC
Not all Soave is created equal.
Soave DOC covers the flat plains just outside Verona — an area that exploded in production during the 70s and 80s. The wines here are lighter, fruitier, and often simple — think easy drinking, not long ageing. The warmer climate and fertile soils produce higher yields, which can dilute flavour and structure.
Soave Classico DOC, on the other hand, is where the magic happens. These are the original hillside vineyards of Soave, where cooler air from the mountains slows ripening, preserving acidity and extending hang-time. The result?
- More concentration and depth
- Greater minerality and texture
- Signature almond and hazelnut notes
- Wines with genuine ageability
In short, the difference between the two is like comparing lemonade to lemon zest — same fruit, completely different intensity.
Why Le Battistelle stands out
Le Battistelle is a family-run estate that’s quietly redefining Soave. They work small parcels of hillside vines by hand, with a focus on sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention.
The ‘Montesei’ comes from vineyards tucked into volcanic slopes — a site that delivers both energy and texture. The 2024 vintage in particular shows remarkable finesse. The cooler air funneling down from the nearby mountains extended the ripening period, giving the wine bright acidity and pure fruit definition.
In the glass, you’ll find:
- Nose: Lemon zest, white peach, and a hint of almond.
- Palate: Fresh and mineral-driven, with a gentle nuttiness that lingers.
- Finish: Long, textural, and quietly elegant — a white wine with a whisper of restraint rather than a shout of fruit.
Why elevation matters
At higher altitudes, grapes experience warm days but cool nights. That temperature swing slows ripening, keeping acidity intact while flavour builds gradually. The outcome is balance — the holy grail of great winemaking.
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The 2024 vintage captures that perfectly — fruit ripeness without heaviness, freshness without sharpness.
A wine that proves place = quality
Soave Classico is a perfect case study in terroir. Move just a few kilometres down from the hills to the valley floor, and you lose that mineral tension and almond-tinged complexity that define true Soave.
Le Battistelle’s 2024 ‘Montesei’ reminds us why hillside viticulture — and attention to detail — still matter.
Final sip
If you’ve ever dismissed Soave as simple, this wine will change your mind.
The 2024 Le Battistelle ‘Montesei’ Soave Classico DOC Garganega is everything modern Italian white should be — bright, textural, and deeply tied to its landscape. It’s proof that Soave belongs not in the budget section, but on the same stage as serious whites from Burgundy or the Loire.
Drink now for freshness — or cellar a few years to watch those almond, honey, and mineral notes deepen.
