Some of you are already well acquainted with Solonio’s Cesanese and Fontanapiana. We’ve now landed two more wines from this terrific Lazio winery in the form of a delightful white made from the Malvasia grape variety, Solonio Rea Silva, and an incredible ripasso-method red made from partially dried Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, Solonio Il Grottone.
Ripasso, meaning ‘repassed’, is produced using the leftover grape skins and seeds from the fermentation of recioto and Amarone. Valpolicella wines can undergo an extended maceration period on these skins with the remaining fermenting yeast cells feeding on the additional food source to boost the alcohol level and give a fuller body and a richer flavour and colour. These wines are labelled Ripasso della Valpolicella.
Ripasso-method, or Ripasso-styled wines, can be made in the same way, or they can be produced using partially dried grapes, such as the Il Grottone. We were really impressed by this one on first taste, but it just got better and better when enjoyed properly at home. It’s the best ripasso-styled wine we’ve tried on the market. I reckon it needs food to get the best out of it. Mike thinks it doesn’t.
We had both wines open in the shop a few days after receiving them and the great feedback wasn’t only directed at the red. The white Malvasia was getting rave reviews also. Malvasia is one of those varieties that falls under the shadow of the noble grapes. It’s not as easily marketed as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, but that’s why we love it. Giving people the ‘wow’ factor from wines they wouldn’t otherwise try is what we’re all about. That’s where the ‘curious’ came from.
Give these two proudly ‘uncommercial’ wines a shot and you’ll not be disappointed. Normally €12.99, an introductory offer of €9.99 per bottle is valid through the end of December.
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