Cavalchina Bardolino 2001

Sporting a brilliant cherry-red robe, the 2001 Cavalchina Bardolino is the picture of style, elegance, and vivacity in a glass. Aromas of cherry, marzipan and almond extract make for a most appealing olfactory profile. Warm round flavors, married to youthful exuberance (now doesn't that sound sensual) render the Cavalchina Bardolino the purest expression of the Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes we have ever tasted from this DOC. Although typically light bodied, refreshing, and immensely drinkable the most prominent characteristics of good Bardolino the Cavalchina also exudes true personality and a wealth of very appealing huggable flavors. In short, there is heart and soul to this wine, as well as personality. In order to maximize your enjoyment of the Calvalchina Bardolino, we suggest you serve it at room temperature in cool weather and at cellar temperature ( 55°- 60° F ) in warm weather.

The 2001 Cavalchina Bardolino is a most adaptable wine with food. This light-bodied red of ruby robe goes well with most pasta, risotto and meat dishes. We have also enjoyed this wine with richer fare, too, especially stews, cassoulets, grilled tuna and meatloaf. Even good hamburgers become a treat with a bottle of the 2001 Cavalchina Bardolino to accompany them. In spite of its light, ethereal nature, do not be fooled by this fine effort; it packs a good wallop and it can stand up to some piquant sauces and flavors, so no need to cut this Bardolino any slack on account of its stature.

The Calvachina winery is located on the southern shores of majestic Lake Garda, and has belonged to the Piona family since the beginning of the 1900s. As far back as 1848 Cavalchina was registered officially as having the finest vineyards in the region, and they still do. Presently, the Piona family harvests grapes from two distinct sites: 16 hectares at the original Cavalchina estate in the Veneto and La Prendina, just over the regional border of Lombardia. Grapes from both estates are vinified at Cavalchina, but each is fermented and bottled individually. Cavalchina specializes in traditional regional wines, including a fine Bianco di Cusoza and several excellent Bardolino in varying styles. Giulietto Piona, the reigning family patriarch, invented Bianco di Custoza at Cavalchina in 1962, and is considered the founder of that thriving DOC. Today, his talented son Luciano makes all of the wine at Cavalchina. At Cavalchina, and La Prendina as well, the estate's wines are marvelously consistent and always delicious. Yet, very vintage also brings a new and interesting surprise: one barrel of an innovative and delicious dessert wine, a Bardolino Novello, an older vintage of something squirreled away in the cellar, or a wonderful vino da tavola. Luciano Piona always keeps life fun and interesting, just like the marvelous array of wines he loves to produce. Cavalchina's wines are enormously popular in their native Veneto, and can be found in many of the area's best trattorias. One of the greatest pleasures of the regional Italian table (as there really is no such thing as a national Italian cuisine) is to eat fresh lake fish and home made pastas accompanied by a genuine Bardolino, Bianco di Custoza or estate bottled Soave. Wines of such breeding may be considered unassuming by those who have never tasted an honest estate bottled example, but these traditional wines of the Veneto contribute so much to the splendor of the Venetian table and to the enjoyment of fine food, everywhere. Cavalchina's delicious wines are natural partners to the region's culinary cavalcade. This estate's Bardolino is considered by critics and local cognoscenti to be the consummate wine of the appellation and the finest accompaniment to its regional fare.