Pale gold color; lemon, grapefruit, green apple, peach, honeydew, tangerine, almond, grass on the nose and palate.
Dry; good acidity, no tannins. Light-medium body. Blend of 75% garganega and 25% sauvignon blanc. The garganega spends 12 hours on the skins before fermentation over the next three weeks. The sauv blanc is vinified off-skin for 15-18 days, then is fermented in barriques for two months. The two wines then are blended. Medium body. Nicely long finish. 12.5% ABV
Garganega is a white grape primarily grown in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, especially in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza. It is the principal grape in Soave and Gambellara wines and Italy’s sixth-most planted grape in Italy. It can produce high quality dry and sweet wines. It is aromatic with moderate acidity.
Pietro Alighieri, son of the famed Italian poet Dante Alighieri, first bought land in Gargagnago in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica region in 1353. The Serego Alighieri family has owned and managed the vineyard ever since. Masi Agricola—better known for its red wines, especially amarone, ripasso, and Valpolicella—produces this white and demonstrates their considerable skills no matter the color of the grape.
The website notes: “With roots in Valpolicella Classica, Masi produces and distributes Amarone and other premium wines inspired by the values of the Venetian territories. The use of native grapes and autochthonous methods, and the research and experimentation carried out by its Technical Group, make it one of the most famous producers of high-quality Italian wines in the world.
“The Masi story began in 1772, when the Boscaini family acquired prestigious vineyards in the small valley called ‘Vaio dei Masi’, which is the origin of the company’s name. After more than 200 years of passionate winemaking the company is still in family hands, run by the sixth and seventh generations.”
Andrea Tella is the winemaker. He earned a degree in oenology from the University of Milan and completed his practical training at Masi Agricola. He joined Masi on a permanent basis in 2011. The website notes: “He is responsible for managing the Masi Valpolicella cellars, including that of Conti Serego Alighieri, a historic family that has been in these lands since 1353, with which Masi collaborates in producing prestigious wines.”
Massimilla di Serego Alighieri owns the Possessioni Serego Alighieri estate. She is the 21st generation to own the property—a descendant of Piero Alighieri who bought the land in 1353. Piero was the son of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In addition to her duties with Masi, support of the culture, arts, and women’s role in winemaking, she is the announcer for Tezenis Verona, Verona’s basketball team.
Serego Alighieri Possessioni Garganega e Sauvignon del Veneto 2021 is fresh, fruit-forward blend of garganega (the main grape of Soave) and sauvignon blanc. Well structured, balanced. Tasty easy drinker. Grapes are harvested from a vineyard purchased in 1353 and still owned by descendants of the Italian poet Dante. The wine is made by a family-owned winery, Masi, that started in 1772. Works with antipasti and as an aperitif; pair with cured meats—charcuterie board; fish; summer salads; pizza; white meats; vegetarian fare. Cheese—very versatile, especially with lighter, fresher cheese; goat’s milk cheeses, ricotta, mozzarella, burrata, young asiago, gruyère. manchego, brie. $20
