Marcato "I Prandi" Lessini Durello Brut

The Marcato family has been farming the volcanic hills of the Monti Lessini since the 1920s, when they first planted vines on the Il Duello Hill between the villages of Roncà and Montecchia di Corsara, right at the intersection of the Soave and Lessini Durello zones east of Verona. The I Prandi range takes its name from that original family estate, now spanning six hectares of basalt-rich volcanic soils at high elevation. This Brut is a blend of 85% Durello, 10% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Nero, made in the tank method with complete malolactic fermentation and eight months on the lees before release. Durello is one of Italy's great undiscovered sparkling grapes, prized for its naturally high acidity, thick skins, and the way it absorbs and expresses the volcanic minerality of the Lessini hills. The I Prandi Brut shows all of that character in an approachable, crowd-pleasing package. The nose is delicate and inviting, with yellow flowers, chamomile, lemon zest, acacia, and a whisper of honey. On the palate the wine is fresh and lively, with notes of ripe pear, mild citrus, and a light biscuit quality from the lees aging, underpinned by a clean flint-like minerality and zippy acid that keeps every sip focused and refreshing.