Ca' Rugate Rio Albo Valpolicella 2024

Ca' Rugate are one one of the better producers of Valpolicella and whilst their version has all the easy drinking qualities you'd expect of it there's plenty of other stuff going on to make it interesting. It has quite deep and subtle cherry and bramble aromas and just a hint of spice. On the palate it's vibrant and fresh, full of red fruit flavours that have a good ripeness and softness to them.

Delightfully light and fresh as it should be but with plenty of flavour; great by itself, or with chicken or pork dishes.

Ca' Rugate is a family business that has been handed down through generations of the Tessari family since the early 1900s. In their early days grapes were just one among many fruit crops that they grew. And it wasn't until after WWII that Beo Tessari, son of the founder, bought vineyards at Monte Fiorente and built their first winery to concentrate their efforts on wine production. In 1986 the estate was named Ca' Rugate after the volcanic hills where the vineyards are located. Things are now run by Michele Tessari and considerable expansion has taken place with investment in a new technologically advanced cellar. And adding to their existing vineyards in the Soave Classico zone they've expanded into Valpolicella with new vineyards in the hilly zone of the village. Their range now encompasses wines of all these well-known regions. The prestigious Gambero Rosso organisation have rated them highly which is a testament to the quality of their output.