Cellar for up to 5 years.
This Northern Italian white emerges from the basaltic lava soil of the old pergola vineyards from the eastern side of Monte Foscarino, the oldest white wine area in Northern Italy. A respectful, modern reinterpretation of the thousands of years of traditions of the Soave Classico, based on the delicate Garganega grape which is only capable of being produced from this region’s volcanic earth, this medium-bodied wine offers an intensely brilliant and rich golden straw-yellow colour, while its signature very well may be its complex flavours benefiting from minimally intrusive winemaking process and fermentation in used barriques.
Its tempting, lifted nose sweetly foreshadows the experience of honey, liquorice and hints of spice that proceed to dance on the palate with delectable aromas of the field flowers from the local region. These main notes are softly complemented by a savoury, mineral mix of stone fruit and citrus. This intermingling of complexly woven tastes enhances the medium-full, creamy palate which is balanced by a sophisticated and slightly dense consistency, oak tannins and a lively acidity. It’s lingering, dry finish ends with a delicate hint of sweet almond.
This 100% Garganega grape wine produces an exceptional Suave is full of character, which is best complemented by polenta, fish, poultry or spicy food.
As someone who has been ordering wine online regularly (22 orders and dozens of bottles since 2022), I have long appreciated 8Wines for offering access to interesting international labels and boutique styles that aren’t always readily available locally. However, a platform's true character isn't revealed when everything goes right; it's tested when a high-value bottle arrives compromised, and that is where 8Wines falls remarkably short. Over the last few years, I’ve spent well over €3,500 with 8Wines. When you spend consistently on a platform, you expect a baseline of mutual trust, especially when purchasing premium bottles where structural integrity is everything. Unfortunately, encountering damaged or flawed bottles on two separate occasions has brought to light a rigid, customer-unfriendly claims policy. A bottle of Susana Balbo Signature Malbec arrived completely cooked and oxidized. Despite detailing the structural defects, the customer service team deflected responsibility, demanded unreasonable layers of proof, and ultimately offered reward points rather than issuing a proper refund or replacement. One year later, another bottle, this time a high-end wine - the Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon arrived leaking in the box with visible stain traces under the capsule. Upon opening, the cork failure was undeniable, and the wine showed the distinct, flat overcooked notes of premature oxidation rather than its intended opulent fruit profile. Instead of acknowledging that cork failure and transport leakage, the 8Wines’ support team engaged in gaslighting. They attempted to lecture about the "jammy profile of the Wagner family." They argued that a leaking, stained bottle with a dry cork and premature oxidation was normal. Rather than standing behind the quality of their high-end stock, 8Wines offered a standard deflection playbook: no blame accepted, no refund given, and a small allocation of reward points thrown in as an appeasement. For a loyal customer who has spent thousands on the platform, being compensated with virtual points for a cooked, expensive wine is a disappointing resolution. Final Verdict 8Wines has an attractive catalogue and smooth shipping logistics when bottles survive the trip intact. But if you gamble on buying expensive, premium bottles here, be aware that you carry all the financial risk. If a cork fails or a bottle cooks in transit, don't expect a refund, expect a corporate email trying to convince you that flawed wine is just part of the "winemaker's style," followed by a handful of reward points to close the ticket, that if you insist upon, otherwise you will be left empty handed. Moving forward, I will reserve my purchases for everyday, lower-risk bottles, and buy any high-end, premium investments strictly from physical storefronts where visual inspection and immediate returns are actually honored.