SCAIA: Unusual Wines.
Are you someone who defies the rules? Do you like the taste of something a bit unusual in your wine glass every now and then? If this is the case, we offer two wines for you to sample. These wines from SCAIA defy the blending norms of their area and are classified as IGT. Both of these wines are simple to drink and moderately priced; we were provided with tasting samples of each.
Italy, like every other nation in the European Union, is subject to stringent winegrowing and winemaking rules. Grape types, vineyard yields, production techniques, and aging needs are all governed by area.
In order for a wine to be classed as DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) or DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) for a region, the wine must fulfill all of these requirements as well as a predetermined quality level.
If a winemaker, for example, utilizes grape types (or proportions of grape kinds) that are not permitted in the area, the wine will not be classed as DOC or DOCG, regardless of its quality.
Sometimes, in the pursuit of making a wine that stands out from the crowd, winemakers deviate from the norm and violate the rules. This is the situation with these SCAIA wines produced by Tenuta Sant’Antonio, whose debut vintage was in 1995.
Tenuta Sant’Antonio is located in the eastern Valpolicella region, and the four Castagnedi brothers are well-known for their Valpolicella and Amarone produced from estate grapes.
The SCAIA brand was established in 2006 to produce wines in a contemporary style that did not conform to DOCG and DOC requirements.
Both wines are derived from the communes of Colognola ai Colli, Illasi, and Mezzane di Sotto in the eastern portion of Veneto’s Valpolicella area, although winemaker Paolo Castagnedi does not adhere to the traditional blending guidelines for either wine.
2019 SCAIA Garganega/Chardonnay, Trevenezie IGT shot 2019 SCAIA Garganega/Chardonnay, Trevenezie IGT
2019 SCAIA Garganega/Chardonnay, Trevenezie IGT — The color is light golden with a greenish hue in the glass. Aromas are lemony, a little grassy, and a little tropical. The flavors are more tropical in nature, with passion fruit, ripe pear, and undertones of parched grass. The wine is kept alive by tart acidity. Contains 12.5 percent alcohol by volume. SRP is $14.95.
This wine reminds me of Sauvignon Blanc, but with hints of passion fruit. It’s simple to drink and will be refreshing on a hot day. It is a mix of 55 percent Garganega and 45 percent Chardonnay.
2018 SCAIA Corvina, Veneto IGT picture 2018 SCAIA Corvina, Veneto IGT
2018 SCAIA Corvina, Veneto IGT — transparent red in the glass, with aromatic aromas of juicy cherries and herbal notes. Raspberries, pomegranates, and blackberries are the fruit tastes that stand out the most.
The background is filled with herbal flavors of dried hay, which are supported by gently drying tannins in a barely medium-bodied wine. SRP $14 for a 13 percent abv.
Corvina is the only red grape variety used in this light red wine, and since it is not mixed with other red grape types as necessary, it cannot be certified as Valpolicella DOC.
This lighter kind of red wine appeals to me, and it will be a pleasant addition to my wine collection this summer. It’s also excellent served slightly cold.
Both wines are produced completely in stainless steel. These are light, crisp wines that are best savored while they are young. Both are quite low in alcohol content, and the pricing is very competitive.
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