92 Point Italian White

Inama Soave – A Stunning Value Every Vintage!

During the summer, the demand for inexpensive white wines is at its highest. You might have noticed, there is a growing problem with the availability of many wines, most notably New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Loire Valley whites. This is a result of the disastrous harvests which has led to many well-known estates running out of wine. To be honest, I think this is a great situation for you!

What makes wine great and fun, is that there are hundreds if not thousands of styles and flavors to enjoy. Many people I know only drink wine from a specific region or a particular varietal. While it is great to have favorites, how about trying something new?

Inama Soave is the exact type of wine you should try now. Years ago, there was a negative view of the Soave region, as some large producers made bulk, generic white wine from here that frankly tasted more like water than wine. I first tasted Inama Soave in the early 2000’s and was hooked. It is made from old-vine Garganega grapes grown in volcanic soil. It is mouthwateringly complex, floral and rich but not heavy by any means and with a beautiful mineral finish. The odd thing about this wine is when we have it out to taste or feature it, it sells like crazy but the rest of the year it trickles off the shelf. It has been an incredible value for years, look at the last few vintages and the scores from James Suckling:

2019 - 93 points

2018 - 92 points

2017 - 90 points

2016 - 92 points

2015 - 91 points

2014 - 92 points

The village of Soave dates to Roman times and is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in all of Italy. The Romans enjoyed the mineral driven wines made on Mount Foscarino, the inactive volcano which is now covered in grapevines. Here, there is pure basaltic lava, the only area with these characteristics in all of Italy. In the 1960's, while others were producing bulk wine here, Giuseppe Inama started to buy all the vineyards he could, seeing their enormous potential to make great white wine. His son Stefano took over winemaking in the early 1990's and now Stefano's three sons (Matteo, Alessio, and Luca) all work together at this true family winery.

This is a wine you can enjoy with almost anything from oysters to grilled salmon, even roasted chicken but I am fine with it all by itself! Maybe if your old favorite is not available, give this one a try. This is a real undervalued wine that seems to impress everyone who tries it.

Inama “Vin Soave” Soave Classico DOC 2020 750mL

92 Points – JamesSuckling.com

"A lavish bouquet of Provencal herbs greets your nose. It really is like walking around a street market in Nice. Other nuances are apple and mineral-based. Medium-to full-bodied with intense balance of perfumed, saline minerals and persistent fruit that gives a tasty finish. The interest never flags here. Drink now." - James Suckling