Bargain Soave Classico Changes Name, Still Can't Hide

Bargain Soave Changes NameI recently grabbed a bottle of the 2024 Casaponte Soave Classico off the shelf at Trader Joe's. I thought something was familiar about the label, and when I looked into it I found that I had seen it before with a different name on it. 

I had already had the 2022 vintage of the wine, with the name Villa Molino Soave Classico on it. The notes are the same this time around, which is alright with me. It's a decent wine and it doesn't hurt the wallet too badly. 

Soave Classico is quite a different wine from Soave. The Classico region of the Soave DOC has a higher altitude and a volcanic aspect to the soil, which is imparted into the Garganega (90%) and Trebbiano (10%) grapes. The wine is much better than the label, which features a picnic basket and a cute little dog who is packing the wine in his saddlebags. Alcohol hits only 12% abv and the bottle can be had for less than $10 at Trader Joe's.

This wine has a golden yellow color in the glass. The nose is highly aromatic, with citrus minerals, apricot and a lanolin note competing for attention. The palate is brisk and full, showing Meyer lemon, guava and a hint of pineapple, all laced with a streak of salinity. The acidity is fresh, but not ripping. The long finish has a sense of apricot outlasting all the other flavors. It's a great wine for sipping, but it paired quite nicely with a way-too-creamy pasta primavera. 

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