Inama Vigneti di Foscarino Soave Classico 2003

Never before have we tasted a Soave quite like the 2003 Inama Vigneti di Foscarino Soave Classico. This is no ordinary white wine nor is it indicative of any other Soave; it is the ultimate Soave Classico and a unique exciting white wine unto itself. From its golden robe to its elegant lingering finish, the Inama Vigneti di Foscarino makes almost all other white wines look clumsy and unsophisticated. In the nose, this lovely dry white wine is all spring flowers, which are carried on the breathe of an April breeze. It recalls the ethereal beauty of Botticelli’s masterpiece Primavera. Moreover, its soft haunting flavors are simply indescribable. For pure charm, elegance, and sophistication, there is no white wine from anywhere more beguiling than the 2003 Inama Vigneti di Foscarino. For ultimate enjoyment, we suggest this subtle, ephemeral wine not be served too cold. In fact, we enjoyed it best as it approached cool room temperature. Nevertheless, you may want to chill it to at least 45° F and then allow it to open in the glass. Although quite gulpable, this is certainly not a wine to guzzle; rather, the Vigneti di Foscarino is the rare dry white wine that is meant to be sipped and savored.

Light, ethereal, and utterly delightful, the 2003 Inama Vigneti di Foscarino clamors for the honor of being the planet’s quintessential aperitif. Consequently, this single vineyard offering from Inama needs only a clean glass in order to work its magic and do justice to its aspirations. Nonetheless, food doesn’t spoil the party. There is only one caveat; sophistication and elegance deserve a partner of equal stature. Therefore, we suggest that the 2003 Inama Vigneti di Foscarino Soave Classico be served with foods of similar standing, or be left to its own devices. Shrimp, fish, especially fresh water varieties, light hors d’oeuvres, smoked salmon with capers, and all kinds of caviar provide some of our favorite accompaniments to the Inama Vigneti di Foscarino. Mild sheep and goats’ cheeses offer another gustatory delight that we heartily endorse. Enjoy!

The Inama estate is an anomaly in Soave. It was founded as an azienda agricola (a private estate that grows and produces its own wine) by Giuseppe Inama in the 1960’s at a time when most Soave grape growers were small farmers looking only to sell their grapes to large commercial ventures such as Bolla or Folonari. Very few Soave growers then, or now for that matter, made any wine for commercial sale let alone estate bottled their production like Inama. And unlike the multitude of Soave growers and the few bona fide estate producers in Soave, the Inama Azienda Agricola vineyard is located almost exclusively on the Monte Foscarino, the premier vineyard site in Soave Classico. Located in the heart of Soave Classico, Inama comprises approximately sixty-six acres. At Inama, the emphasis is strictly on the production of premium and super premium white wines, all of which spring from the appellation’s ancient volcanic soils. Inama’s most famous wine is its outstanding Soave Classico, but few consumers know that this premier producer also fashions small quantities of an exquisite single vineyard Soave Classico labeled Vigneti di Foscarino. Vigneti di Foscarino sits alone atop the zone’s pinnacle of quality and redefines the quality quotient for all Soave Classico. This wine hails from the best part of the Monte Foscarino vineyard and is handled separately from the rest of the estate’s production. Always special and quite unique, Vigneti di Foscarino exudes the redolence of fresh cut flowers and possesses a distinctive minerality on the palate that adds considerable complexity to the wine’s long spate of flavors. This is a luxury offering that possesses distinct terroir, texture, and feel. However, like the estate’s excellent standard Soave Classico, Vigneti di Foscarino is made from the local Garganega grape that is unique to Soave. In addition to cultivating Soave’s fabled Garganega, the Azienda Agricola Inama also grows small quantities of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which it crafts into wines of distinction. All of Inama’s wines are made in the estate’s modern winery. However, Inama himself is a minimal interventionalist who believes strongly in the adage “less is better.” As much as possible, the natural process prevails at Inama, with only the bare minimum of fining and filtration ever being employed. The result is a bevy of balanced, highly aromatic wines that exude great charm as well as intensity.