Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC: preview 2022

The rosé wineFor me, it is a wine that should be given more space and the producers have the task of not debasing it with easy and mediocre products designed for an audience of spritz wine consumers. Don't get me wrong: if by easy we want to talk about drinkability this is absolutely to be sought after. I find, in fact, that rosé wine is perfect as an alternative to white wines in particular pairings for that segment of the public that does not like white wines in general. In this context the Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC is a Garda wine which deserves a great deal of attention, and the 2022 preview helped me, at last, to frame the two macro-types of Chiaretto from corvina grapes that are produced in this area. So first of all I want to thank the Consorzio di Tutela Chiaretto and Bardolino for the valuable invitation, the Director Angelo Peretti for its culture and Studio Cru for handling us in the press magnificently.

As always, I will then get straight to the point of the tastings.

Bardolino Chiaretto: tasting notes

Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC: battery 1

1. Aldo Adami, Bardolino Chiaretto 2021:  is intense and bright onion skin pink. The nose is fragrant, very intense, with notes of wild strawberry, banana, raw butter, apple. On the palate it is very savoury, with a somewhat intrusive pseudo-caloricity and you can feel that it was recently bottled. Good length.
2. Bolla, Bardolino Classico Chiaretto 'La Canestraia' 2021It is a brilliant pale pink. The nose is delicate with floral notes of rose and broom and a light fruity accent of white peach. In the mouth it is very savoury, consistent, very fresh, fairly balanced and with good drinkability.
3. Vinicio Bronzo, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Rosa Canina' 2021It is an intense and brilliant onion skin pink. The nose is very delicate and distinctive, with floral notes of dandelion blossom, broom and lime blossom fading into a chalky trail. In the mouth it is consistent, enveloping, savoury, mineral and very fresh. Good length.
4. Ca' Bottura, Bardolino Classico Chiaretto 2021It is an intense and brilliant onion skin pink. The nose is very delicate, with both fruity and fine, elegant floral notes. Fresh strawberry and rose flowers are recognisable. In the mouth it is consistent, fresh, quite savoury and with a long salted caramel finish.
5. Cantina Caorsa, Bardolino Classico Chiaretto 2021It is a pale, bright onion skin pink. The nose is very intriguing with a pleasant, intense hint of maracuja that fades into pink grapefruit. In the mouth it is consistent, very fresh, savoury and with a rather persistent pink grapefruit mouthfeel. ❤️
6. Cantina di Soave, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Rocca Sveva' 2021: it is a soft, bright onion skin pink. The nose is intense, with notes of ripe banana and fresh almond. On the palate it is consistent, quite savoury and quite fresh, with considerable pseudo-caloricity. Good drinkability.
7. Wineries of Verona, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Val dei Molini' 2021: pale pink with onion skin reflections, brilliant. The nose is delicate, fruity and floral, with notes of vanilla, wild strawberry and rose. On the palate it is very fresh, savoury and balanced overall with a fairly long finish of caramelised sugar.
8. Cantina Valpolicella Negrar, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Domini Veneti' 2021: pale pink with onion skin reflections, brilliant. The nose is delicate and elegant, with notes of both fresh and candied mandarin and acacia flowers. In the mouth it is consistent, fresh, sapid, with good drinkability and length. ❤️
9. Vitevis Cellars, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Ca' Vegar' 2021: The wine is an intense, bright claret pink. The nose is delicate with scents of both fresh and toasted almonds. In the mouth it has a very intrusive pseudo-caloricity, a good savouriness, a slight undesirable carbonicity and has probably just been bottled. 🫣
10. Casaretti, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Rosa dei Casaretti' 2021: it is a bright, intense salmon pink. The nose is delicate, almost absent. One recognises, with difficulty, a floral accent. In the mouth, there is an unwanted carbonation and it is completely decomposed. 🥶

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Bardolino Chiaretto: battery 2

1. Grasshopper, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: is a brilliant pale pink. The nose is delicate and pleasant, with notes of hawthorn and oregano flowers that fade into brown sugar. In the mouth it is consistent, with a pseudo-caloricity present but not intrusive, fresh and with a long sip.
2. Gardoni Court, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Nichesole' 2021: it is onion skin pink, intense and bright, consistent. The nose is intriguing, coming out very much outside the Chiaretto box with hints of pickled ginger and peppermint. In the mouth it is consistent, warm, fresh, slightly savoury and with a long sip. ❤️
3. Gold Coast, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: is a very intense and brilliant claret pink. The nose is very delicate, with barely perceptible floral aromas. In the mouth it has a present but not intrusive pseudo-caloricity, a delicate and rather fresh taste.
4. Gold Coast, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Pink Diamond' 2021: it is a bright, intense onion skin pink. The nose is delicate with some mineral and citrus scents. In the mouth it is more pleasant than on the nose and the taste is enriched with pleasant strawberry notes. Balanced and with good drinkability.
5. Dear, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: presents a soft, bright onion skin pink. The nose is intense and distinctive, with notes of incense, camphor and dried roses. In the mouth it is fairly consistent, more intense than on the nose, with good balance and good drinkability.
6. Giovanna Tantini, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: shows a brilliant pale pink colour. The nose is delicate and pleasant, with notes of white chocolate and wild strawberries. In the mouth it is warm, soft, fresh, balanced, and with a delicate but persistent bite. It does not stray from the claret mould, in fact it is as a well-made claret should be. ❤️
7. Gorgo, Chiaretto di Bardolino Bio 2021: it is pale salmon pink, brilliant. The nose is delicate and pleasant, with notes of vanilla and butter. In the mouth it is consistent, enriched with citrus fruit, but warm, with an overly intrusive pseudo-caloricity. 🫣🫣
8. Rizzardi Warriors, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico "Keya" 2021: it is an intense, bright cherry pink. The nose is delicate and pleasant, very characteristic, with notes of strawberry yoghurt and rose flowers. In the mouth it is fresh, balanced, with excellent drinkability. A traditional claret made well ❤️
9. The Pinecone, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: presents a soft, bright onion skin pink. The nose is very delicate with a barely perceptible floral accent. In the mouth it has an unwanted carbonicity in my opinion and is totally decomposed. 🥶🥶🥶
10. The Rock, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: is an intense, bright onion skin pink. The nose is intense but not overpowering, characteristic, with notes of strawberry yoghurt, orange blossom and rose blossom. In the mouth it is pleasant, fresh, quite savoury, with excellent drinkability and good length. ❤️

Bardolino Chiaretto: battery 3

1. Le Fraghe, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Ròdon' Bio 2021: presents a pale onion skin pink. The nose has some caramelised sugar notes and pleasant floral accents. In the mouth it has a very abundant pseudo-caloricity that detracts from pleasantness.
2. Le Fraghe, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Ròdon' 2020: onion skin pink with salmon reflections, bright and consistent. The nose is very intriguing, elegant, mineral and fine with notes of cumin, raw butter, wet stone, graphite, magnolia flowers. In the mouth it is consistent, fresh, soft, very balanced. Great drinkability and a long finish with a hint of blood orange juice. ❤️❤️
3. The Brooms, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: it is pale onion skin pink with salmon reflections. The nose is delicate and fine, with just hints of white flowers. In the mouth it is warm, fairly balanced and consistent, with a rather pleasant strawberry finish.
4. Le Morette, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Bio 2021: is a very bright pale pink. The nose is delicate and distinctive, with notes of fruit tarts. In the mouth it is quite balanced, warm, fresh and with an interesting sapid streak. Good drinkability.
5. Curtains, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Bio 2021: it is bright pale pink. Unfortunately it has plenty of unwanted carbon dioxide... bottle with problems, I trust to taste it again. 🥶🥶
6. The vineyards of San Pietro, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Corderosa' 2021: pale pink with salmon reflections, slightly veiled. The nose stinks, so I interrupt the tasting. This bottle probably has problems too..., I trust to taste it again! 🥶🥶
7. Lenotti, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Decus' 2021: shows a beautiful, particularly bright pink hue. The nose is delicate and elegant with notes of ripe pear, cinnamon and buttercream. On the palate it is consistent, fresh, rather savoury, warm and with a long pear finish. ❤️ ❤️
8. Lenotti, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: shows a beautiful bright pink spot. The nose is delicate, with floral notes of orange blossom and a barely perceptible citrus vein. In the mouth, it is warm, with a somewhat demanding but not annoying pseudo-caloricity, and has good drinkability.
9. Marchesini Family - Marchesini Marcello, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico '2021': it is an intense, bright pale pink with a beautiful rose spot. The nose is very distinctive, delicate and elegant. Notes of strawberry yoghurt, white chocolate. In the mouth it is fresh, savoury, balanced and with a long sip. ❤️
10. Menegotti Antonio, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: is a brilliant pale pink with onion skin reflections. The nose is very delicate, with notes of rennet apple and hibiscus flowers. In the mouth it is consistent, fresh, warm, with excellent drinkability and a long apple finish. ❤️

Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC: battery 4

1. Monte dei Frà, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: presents a brilliant onion skin pink. The nose is delicate and fine, with notes of aromatic herbs, unripe pear and white flowers. On the palate it is warm, fresh and balanced overall, with good sapidity.
2. Mount Zovo - Cottini Family, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Phasianus' 2021: it has a pale bronze colour. The nose has an interesting spiciness that makes it very distinctive, with also a very definite note of maracuja. In the mouth it is consistent, pleasant, balanced, with a fairly long maracuja finish. ❤️
3. Morando Lorenzo, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: it shows a beautiful pink spot, rich and bright. The nose has an interesting sweet liquorice note that dances harmoniously with buttery and white-fleshed fruit scents. In the mouth it is warm, fresh, balanced and overall pleasant. Good drinkability and pear persistence. ❤️ ❤️
4. Perantoni, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: shows a bright, deep onion skin pink. The nose is quite intense, pleasant and elegant with notes of wild strawberry, maracuja, and pink grapefruit. In the mouth it is pleasant, fresh, warm, and overall balanced. A well-made claret between characteristic and experimental. ❤️
5. Albino Piona, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: shows a brilliant deep pink colour. The nose is far too delicate, so much so that one struggles to find any recognition beyond a delicate floral accent. In the mouth it has an almost syrupy aftertaste that did not excite me, a pity because it has a nice balance between softness and hardness. 🫣
6. Poggio delle Grazie, Chiaretto di Bardolino Bio 2021: it is a brilliant pale bronze colour. The nose does not excite me, it is delicately citrusy. In the mouth it is consistent, it shifts a little towards white-fleshed fruits, is very balanced and is fine overall.
7. Raval, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: pale pink and brilliant. Intense, elegant nose with dominant notes of maracuja. On the palate it is consistent, pleasant, very balanced, fresh, savoury and with a long fruity finish. ❤️
8. Righetti Dante, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: is a deep onion skin pink, intense and brilliant. The nose is delicate and floral. On the palate it is soft, fresh, savoury and very drinkable.
9. Ronca, claret of Bardolino Bio 2021: it has a beautiful, bright, pale pink hue. The nose is quite intense, with notes of white peach and lime blossom. In the mouth it is very soft, fresh, sapid and with a finish of rennet apple.
10. Santi, Bardolino Chiaretto 'Infinito' 2021: it is a brilliant pale pink. The nose is delicate, fine and elegant with notes of fruit tarts. In the mouth it is pleasant, soft, fresh and very drinkable.

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Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC: battery 5

1. Seiterre, Bardolino Chiaretto 'El Salgar' 2021:
2. Tenuta La Presa, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: bright onion skin pink. Delicate citrus and floral notes. The nose is very delicate and pleasant. In the mouth it is fresh, savoury, intense and long.
3. Tenuta La Presa, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2020: presents a brilliant onion skin pink. The nose is very pleasant, elegant and fine. The nose is pleasantly perfumed [nuovo nando brescia] In the mouth it is fresh, soft, structured and with excellent drinkability. ❤️
4. Tinazzi, Bardolino Chiaretto "Ca' dei Rocchi  Campo delle Rose' 2021: bright, intense onion skin pink. The nose is delicate with notes of wild strawberry. In the mouth it takes on a banana note.
5. Valetti, Bardolino Classico Chiaretto 2021It is a brilliant pale pink. The nose is very delicate, with fruity aromas of fresh pear. In the mouth, it is consistent, balanced, fresh, savoury and has a good drinkability. It has a warm streak that comes later.
6. Villabella Vineyards, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 2021: presents a brilliant onion skin pink. The nose is quite intense and pleasant, with notes of maracuja. In the mouth it is consistent, soft, fresh and with a warm streak. Very pleasant.
7. Villabella Vineyards, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Villa Cordevigo' Bio 2021: it has a brilliant pale bronze colour. The nose is delicately citrusy with a bergamot tea finish. On the palate it is consistent, fresh, savoury, with a present but not intrusive pseudo-caloricity.
8. Villabella Vineyards, Chiaretto di Bardolino 'Heaven Scent' 2021: it is a brilliant pale pink. The nose has delicately defined and elegant citrus notes. In the mouth it is fresh, savoury, balanced and overall very drinkable.
9. Villabella Vineyards, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico 'Villa Cordevigo Gaudenzia' 2018: it has a bright antique gold colour. The nose is very interesting with spicy and herbal notes in which I recognise cumin, white tea leaves, pink pepper. In the mouth it is very pleasant, consistent, with a nice softness, fresh, savoury and with a more measured pseudo-caloricity. Great pleasantness. ❤️ ❤️❤️
10. Villa Medici, Chiaretto di Bardolino 2021: it is an intense Chiaretto pink, with characteristic notes that are not very intense. In the mouth it unfortunately has some unwanted carbonicity, a pity because overall it is balanced.
11. Zeni 1870, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico "Vigne Alte" 2021: is an intense, bright claret pink. The nose is very intense and characteristic with notes of strawberry yoghurt and white chocolate. In the mouth it is fresh, soft, with a well-balanced pseudo-caloricity. Excellent drinkability ❤️
12. Zeni 1870, Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico in amphora 2020: only refined in amphora, pleasant. has an intense and brilliant onion skin colour. The nose is delicate, fine and elegant with notes of wild strawberries and fruit tarts. In the mouth it is very pleasant and structured, fresh, sapid with excellent drinkability.  ❤️❤️

At the beginning of this article I told you about two different interpretations of Bardolino Chiaretto DOC that you may have also noticed in my tastings. These are the use of corvina grapes without maceration or with maceration, which gives two completely different wines.

• Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC from corvina macerationA more or less intense and brilliant claret pink or coral wine. The nose has hints of red fruits, strawberry yoghurt and vanilla. In the mouth it is softer and generally easier drinking.
• Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC without corvina macerationOnion skin pink wine more or less discoloured and brilliant. The nose has more or less intense hints of citrus and passion fruit. In the mouth, it is more vertical and risks having an important pseudo-caloricity, especially in hot vintages.

Between the two which one do I prefer? If made well, certainly the Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC without maceration, especially with a few years on its shoulders. Because let's be clear once and for all: rosé wine can age in the bottle and give great emotions, we just aren't used to treating it that way yet!

Which is your favourite Bardolino Chiaretto DOC? Write it to me in a comment!

Cheers 🍷

Chiara

P.S. I would also remind you to read Rosé wine: Author's masterclass in Bardolino!