From: Veneto, Verona, Italy
Varietal: Garganega
Taste & Critical Acclaim: An intense straw-yellow color with pale green flecks showcasing freshness and depth that give the wine a balanced and intriguing structure. It offers a complex bouquet on the nose with notes of exotic and summer fruits like pears and peaches, complemented by hints of white melon, herbs, and almonds. The aroma is further enriched with a generous minerality and traces of toasted vanilla. The taste is rich and compact, featuring persistent flavors of peach, nectarine, and lemon pith, with a balanced hint of almond. This richness is sustained by a refreshing quality and a distinct flavor that intensifies the wine's softness. The finish is marked by a pleasant saline note.
“Aromas of white stone fruit, peach peel and almond. Medium-bodied with notes of peach and nectarine on the palate. A hint of tangerine sweetness on the finish. Sustainable. Drink now.” 90 Points, James Suckling
Pairing: Seafood such as grilled fish, shrimp, scallops, and seafood pasta dishes complement the wine's minerality and citrus notes. Light poultry dishes, especially those with herbs like rosemary or thyme, highlight the wine's herbal and almond nuances. Vegetable dishes like grilled vegetables, vegetable risottos, and salads with citrus vinaigrette enhance the wine's freshness and complexity. Soft cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella, and mild goat cheese pair well with the wine's creamy texture and persistent flavor. Classic Italian cuisine, including risotto, light pasta dishes with olive oil and herbs, and antipasti with prosciutto and melon, complements the wine's rich and balanced profile. Additionally, lightly spiced Asian dishes like sushi, sashimi, and Thai salads pair well with the wine's fruit and herbal notes.
Puttanesca Pasta Nada
By Dwight Garner
About: Tenuta Santa Maria is a family-run winery with a long history of making excellent wine. Located at the historic Arbizzano di Negrar estate, the winery’s roots go back to the 16th century. The Bertani family has cared for this estate for generations, combining their love for winemaking with respect for tradition and a drive for innovation.
The philosophy guiding Tenuta Santa Maria wines stems from centuries of experience and research, specific innovations developed by Gaetano Bertani’s family in the vineyard, and a commitment to promoting the territory's distinctive traits. This includes the use of native varieties and traditional methods. The result is fine wines of great longevity, elegance, and balance, produced through meticulous care of the vineyards, sustainable agricultural methods, and attention to detail at every phase of the winemaking process.
Gaetano Bertani, the visionary behind the estate, passed down his passion for wine to his sons, Giovanni and Guglielmo. These brothers continue their father’s work, blending old methods with new techniques. They grow their grapes using the high-density, low-yield Guyot training system, first introduced in 1883. This method, along with their ongoing research, helps them produce complex and elegant wines.
