20 Sep The Beauty of Chiaretto Di Bardolino, Italy’s Rosé Wine

Global rosé wine consumption has been on a steady increase for two decades. Consumption is up 20% since 2002 and in 2019, more than 10% of still wine consumption in the world was rosé wine (according to Rosé Wines World Tracking 2019). More than half of worldwide rosé consumption took place in France, the United States and Germany, but Italy’s consumption has also been growing. As has their production of rosé wines. As of 2017, Chiaretto di Bardolino (rosé wines) and Bardolino (red wines only) have become two distinct DOCs. Chiaretto di Bardolino is made with the grapes Corvina and Rondinella, and range in colors from ballet slipper pink and rose gold to salmon, onion skin, and sunset pink. While you may think of Provence when you think about rosé wines, next time look for Chiaretto di Bardolino! Just a decade ago, Chiaretto wines could not be found in the US. But, today 20% of the producers are shipping to the United States, Canada, and Scandinavia. Here are the wines that are available in the US: Monte del Fra’ 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino – Located in the Custoza region, Monte del Fra’ means “monks on the hill”, a name that dates back to 1492. Owned by the Bonomo family for sixty-two years, it is managed by the second generation, brothers Eligio and Claudio, as well as the third generation, Marica, Silvia and Massimo. The wine is a pale onion skin pink. The subtle nose has notes of light red fruit, spice, and minerality. Delicate on the palate, there is a bitter almond note on the end and then a rush of soft acidity coats the palate. Casaretti 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Rosa dei Casaretti – Four generations have been making wine. Stefano Casaretti’s grandfather was the first to put wine in a bottle 50 years ago. They own a total of 13 hectares across three sites in La Rocca, Garda, and Custoza. Some vines are 50-60 years old. They harvest by hand and for the Chiaretto, half goes into tank for 24 hours and the other half is gently pressed. The grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. The wine is a pretty pink color with a golden tinge. Bright aromatics of fresh floral, citrus, strawberry, sour cherry, and mineral notes are on the nose with a soft midpalate and a saline finish. La Rocca 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico – Ballet slipper pink i color with aromas of nectarine, melon, strawberry, and citrus. The wine has chalky acidity and a mouthwatering finish. Le Fraghe 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Ròdon Bio – Pale onion skin color, the wine has notes of cherry and spice with tart cherry on the palate and soft acidity that coats the tongue. Corte Gardoni 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Nichesole – A pale pink with gold highlights, the wine has red fruit, cinnamon spice, and mineral notes and is light on the palate with a bitter almond finish. Bolla 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico La Canestraia – A very pale pink, the wine is very aromatic with fruit notes of nectarine and strawberry and is tart and juicy on the palate. Cantina di Soave 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Rocca Sveva – Pale pick with gold flecks, this is a very light and delicate wine with aromas of nectarines and flavors of candied fruit on the finish. Cantina Valpolicella 2021 Negrar Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Domini Veneti – A pale peach color, this wine has notes of red fruit, peaches, and other soft sweet fleshy fruit. It is soft on the palate with chalky acidity and a herbal note on the finish. Cantine Vitevis 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Ca Vegar – A salmon pink color, this wine has a play of sweet and sour. The nose is sweet with notes of red fruits and stone fruits and on the palate, there are notes of sour cherry. The wine finishes with mouthwatering acidity. Cavalchina 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino – A golden pink color, this soft and pretty wine has red fruit and herbal aromas. The sweet red fruit continues on the palate with mouthwatering acidity and minerality on the finish. Giovanna Tantini 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino – This pretty wine is a pale pink color and fresh citrus and red fruit notes. Freshness washes over the palate and the chalky acidity makes the mouth water. Gorgo Guerrieri 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Bio – A pale pink and gold color, this wine has deeper fruit and spice notes. The acidity washes across the palate and the wine has a long finish with juicy red fruit flavors. Il Pignetto 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino – A delicate pink color with gold flecks, the wine has a bright, aromatic nose of red fruits, fleshy stone fruits, and minerality. Tart acidity hits the back of the palate and lingers. Le Morette 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico – The color of ballet slippers, the wine has a broad nose of ripe, rich red fruits. Brighter on the palate than on the nose, the wine has a juicy finish. Le Vigne di San Pietro 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Corderosa – A pale peach color, this wine has flinty notes, good acidity and a juicy finish. Marchesini Family Marchesini Marcello 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classioc – Ballerina pink with gold and salmon flecks, this wine has lots of sweet fruit aromas including red fruits, stone fruits, and citrus. It is fresh and bright with lingering acidity. Albino Piona 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Bio – A pale pink color, this wine smells like candied raspberry and is light with a tart, mineral-driven finish. Poggia delle Grazie 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Bio – The color of onion skin, this wine has flinty and underripe cherry aromas. The wine is soft when it first hits the palate and citrus flavors hit the back of the palate while soft fruit tannins coat the tongue. Santi 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Infinito – A palate pink color with soft week red fruit and white peach notes, the wine is is mouthwatering with juicy, full-mouth acidity and a chalky finish. Seiterre 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino El Salgar – A candy pink color, the wine is light and fresh with red fruit and flinty notes. Valetti 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico – A combination of onion skin with pale pink, the wine has a restrained nose of strawberry, cherry, ad minerality. This is a very pretty and delicate wine. Vigneti Villabella 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Villa Cordevigo Bio – A pale pink almost light peach color, this delicate wine is fresh and bright with floral and peach aromas and tart, textured acidity. Zeni 1870 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico Classic Vigne Alte – A bright pink color, the wine has sweet red fruit and stone fruit notes and a juicy, sweet finish. To find out where you can find these wines, check out Wine Searcher. It is definitely worth discovering the beautiful, fresh rosé wines of Chiaretto di Bardolino.