18 October 2018
Veneto is a region replete with native grape varieties and outstanding wine styles, both white and red. It is rare for a winery to make both. But with their unique soils, Inama is bottling amazing red and white volcanic wines.
They made their name making white wine in the Soave Classico appellation. However, Inama dedicates themselves equally to producing sumptuous red wines in the neighbouring Colli Berici region. The soils and landscape are completely different, but both can thank volcanic activity for their unique formation. The mineral-rich soil and the hilly landscapes volcanoes formed in this area of Veneto many millennia ago are paying off big. In outstanding volcanic wines.
Inama's Volcanic White Wines from Soave Classico
A composite of Inama's soils, Inama, Veneto.
Their range of white wine is exclusively made in the Soave Classico area. True volcanic wines. On Mount Foscarino and the surrounding areas, the ground is a variety of soils: basaltic lava, volcanic tuff and red clay. This diverse make-up of mineral rich soils in Inama’s vineyards results in a minerality that resonates as floral, instead of the strong tannins many associates with volcanic wines.
Terroir over style
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Inama is exacting in their commitment to the terroir of their vineyards. So much so that their very first wine to hit the market in 1991 was Vulcaia Sauvignon. A 100% Sauvignon made entirely to showcase the delicate power of Soave’s unique soils. They eventually began cultivating native varieties and producing more classic wines from the area. Each vintage, though, continues to be guided by the flavours present in the soils and never by the whims of a trend. As they put it simply, “production transcends the styles and trends of the moment.”
Sedimentary soils, Colli Berici & bold red wines
Soil from Colli Berici, Inama, Veneto.
A mere thirty kilometres to the east of their Soave vineyards are Inama’s more daring red-wine plantations. The area is called the Colli Berici. It is a stunningly beautiful range of hills that were formed millennia ago by bradyseism. This is a geological activity where the Earth’s surface is gradually lifted by the filling of an underground magma chamber. In fact, the Bradisismo Veneto Rosso carries the name of the event that created such exceptional soils. The soils are sedimentary limestone and marl covered in a layer of rich red clay. This presents in their range of reds as well-structured, medium-tannin wines with various notes of spice, ripe berries and cocoa.
Grapes, ancient and international volcanic wine
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Just as with their Soave vineyards, Inama’s focus is on the terroir, not wine style. This allows them the freedom to plant international grapes alongside native grapes. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grow next to Carmenere, a long-lost local grape that is powerful. Like Veneto's other famous red wines. Their deep dedication to making wine that expresses their land is the key to unlocking the potential of this variety. It is now its own appellation, Carmenere DOC, established in 2009. Only eight years after Inama planted their first Carmenere vineyards.
A Veneto wine tour like no other
Mont Foscarino, Inama, Veneto.
Regardless of if you prefer red or white wine, visiting Inama will show you a whole new perspective of Veneto. Out in the countryside, but not too far from the crowds and Shakespeare attractions, you will find powerful, terroir-driven wines from indescribably, beautifully, natural terrains.
Discover the beauty of Soave and the Colli Berici with The Grand Wine Tour. Reserve your custom tour today.
