Prà Valpolicella - Morandina 2020

The Prà winery, although only started in the early 1980’s, has come to be not only one of the top producers in the Soave appellation, but also one of the most important and visionary white wine makers in all of Italy (now expanding into red wine as well)! The winery is run by Graziano Prà, whose family owned their vineyards for generations but never commercialized the wines in bottles. The vineyards are situated in the heart of the appellation, in Monteforte D’Alpone. Besides Soave, the winery also produces Valpolicella and Amarone from a vineyard that he purchased and planted in 2001, and whose truly remarkable results are only now being discovered.

The Prà holdings consist of 30 HA in Soave and 8 HA in Valpolicella. Graziano was always a big believer in natural viticulture and its positive effect on the wines and has farmed organically since the outset. His vineyards in Soave as well as in Morandina in Valpolicella are certified organic. All grapes are harvested by hand both in Soave and Valpolicella.

Although Graziano Prà is best known for his whites, it is his red wines from Valpolicella that may be a bigger revelation?! He purchased these vineyards, located in the sub-zones of Mezzane and Tregnano at around 500 meters, because the soils were formed from glacial runoff and they contain a high percentage of active limestone. So while most wines from this region are about power, ripeness and brawn, especially the Amarone, Prà’s reds have a bright freshness and mineral core. The straight Valpolicella “Morandina” is a pure joy to drink (think fresh, crunchy, Cru Beaujolais-like fruit with a bright, chalky core).

The grapes are slight dried (for about 20 days). The wine is then fermented in stainless steel where it then undergoes malolactic fermentation. It then goes into 20 HL botti (french oak - allier) for 3 to six months.

"The 2020 Valpolicella Morandina is vibrant and rosy, with savory herbs and florals coming together with chalk dust and exotic herbal tea leaves. This is juicy yet savory and salty in character, really interacting with the palate, with saturating minerals giving way to tart wild berries and inner florals. The long and spicy finale tapers off with a peppery edge. This is a fantastic Valpolicella to enjoy with a meal." - 89 Points, Vinous

Producer: Prà

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Varietal: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta

Appellation: Valpolicella

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml