It’s a fair claim to say that Coffele sits among the very best producers of Soave, with an interesting range of styles and price points that all over deliver.
Coffele was founded in 1971 and is today run by Alberto and Chiara Coffele.
The winery is situated in the town of Soave and their 25 hectare ‘single vineyard’ lies to the north of the town, the highest altitude vineyard within ‘Soave Classico’.
The steep vineyard runs from 200 to 370 meters above sea level, a prime vineyard site that was developed by Alberto’s father Giuseppe at a time when there was little demand for quality Italian white wine.
The three ‘Soave Classico’s’ produced by Coffele are all outstanding in their own way.
The ‘entry level’ Coffele 2020 ‘Castel Cerino’ Soave Classico DOC reflects the quality of the 2020 vintage.
The focus here is retaining the finesse and attractive quality of the Garganega grape. All fruit is hand harvested and the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks.
‘This ticks all the Soave boxes. Very young, but everything is there. Trace of smoke, green nuts, greengage. Lovely play of soft and sharp. Decent length’
16 points Jancis Robinson MW
Coffele wines capture the essence of the Garganega grape and the terroir of the land.
The fact that Coffele is certified organic and as much into sustainability as any producer we represent is a bonus.
The next step up is the Coffele 2020 Ca’ Visco Soave Classico DOC, named to honour Alberto’s mother Giovanna Visco who’s family was the original owners of the vineyard site. Giovanna still resides in the ‘House of Visco’ adjacent to the winery.
‘Ca’ Visco’ is a blend of 75% Garganega and 25% Trebbiano di Soave, again picked by hand with the Garganega and Trebbiano fermented separately. The wine is matured in small stainless steel tanks.
The ‘Ca’ Visco 2020 Soave Classico was included in Decanter Magazines ‘Wines of the Year 2021: the top Value wines‘
‘Lovely freshness with mineral undertones, delicate yellow plum, ripe citrussy notes and hints of exotic fruits under peach and pear aromas. Peppery and crisp palate with freshness and elegance’ 95 points
The Coffele 2018 ‘Alzari’ Soave Classico DOC is described by Coffele as their ‘trendiest wine’. Certainly their most original interpretation of Soave wine and all the more intriguing accordingly.
This 100% Garganega is produced from a selection of the best fruit from their vineyard. 60% of the grapes are fermented immediately and 40% undergo partial drying [appassimento] for 40 days prior to fermentation, followed by maturation in 1500 litre oak barrels for 10 months.
La Guida Vitae 2021, the wine guide produced by the Italian Sommelier Association, awarded the 2018 Alzari Soave Classico their highest rating of ‘four vines’
With these three expressions of Soave, Coffele demonstrate the vast stylistic diversity of the Soave Classico DOC as well as any producer in the region, with each showcasing the benefits of the passionate, hands on winemaking team.
