Cantine Zeni 1870: Generations of Craft in Bardolino
In 1870 Bartolomeo Zeni carted fish, olive oil, and, most of all, wine, to the thirsty villages dotted along the edge of Lake Garda and even further on to Lombardy. Two generations later, and instead of merely transporting, the family were growing grapes and taking the plunge into winemaking themselves. With a small winery at No. 16 Borgo Garibaldi, in the heart of Bardolino Classico, visionary Gaetano Zeni recognised a growing demand for quality wine overseas and began single vineyard vinifications, maintaining older vines, and lowering yields. All very modern approaches to producing concentrated and quality wine, yet Gaetano began these steps in the 1950s!
His children Fausto, Elena, and Federica Zeni grew up in the winery and maintain their father’s philosophy, carrying it forward into the present day. Today Cantine Zeni 1870 produce wine across several DOCs and DOCGs in the Veneto area, all with native varieties. Across the wines, there is a common thread of Veneto typicity, fruit-forward character, intelligent winemaking, and discernible value in the glass.
Wines from Cantine Zeni 1870:
Soave Classico DOC - 2023
This wine is a classic Soave, with notes of apple, almond, and white flowers, offering
a fresh, dry, and medium-bodied palate, perfect with prawn linguini and pasta primavera
Vignealte Lugana DOC - 2023
Fresh and medium-bodied example of Turbiana, with delicate aromas of peach, pear, citrus fruits, and herbal bay leaf, it pairs perfectly with fish in white wine and butter sauce, fried anchovies, and fresh oysters.
Chiaretto Bardolino Classico DOC - 2023
A Chiaretto Bardolino rose with soft and juicy fruit, floral hints of rose and violet, all complemented by raspberry and strawberry flavours, amazing with chicken liver pate and all kinds of Italian appetisers.
Bardolino Classico DOC - 2022
This classic Bardolino is soft and juicy, with red cherry, red plum, and floral hints of rose and violet, drink alongside prosciutto and wild mushroom pasta.
Valpolicella Classico DOC - 2023
A classic Valpolicella that offers juicy flavours of blackberries and cherries, with a light-bodied and easy-drinking profile, great with bruschetta and pizza.
Corvina Veronese IGT - 2021
A Corvina wine with aromas of cherry, strawberry, plum, rose, and gentle earthiness, similar in weight and style to Burgundy Pinot Noir, making it an excellent match for butter chicken, pork ramen, cured meats, and cheeses.
'Marogne' Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC - 2021
Valpolicella Ripasso is a richer and fuller-bodied style than Valpolicella Classico with flavours of blackberries and cherries, forest floor earthiness, savoury notes, and hints of tobacco, making it an ideal match for pasta with duck ragu, boeuf bourguignon, and melanzane al parmigiana.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
A famous wine, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is concentrated with a silky texture, flavours of ripe red cherry, strawberry, fig, cocoa, and hints of coffee and raisin, making it a perfect match for red wine risotto with smoked eel, lamb with mole negro, and aged hard cheeses like Gouda.
'Barrique' Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - 2018
The Barrique Amarone is more structured than Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, with ripe and dried red cherry fruit alongside aromatic oak characters of spicy clove and vanilla, this is true Vino da Meditazione that rewards time in the glass, making it ideal for pairing with braised red meat and polenta or Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Recioto Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG - 2021
This classic Recioto wine is sweet with silky tannins, showcasing ripe cherry, strawberry, blackberry, and plum, finishing with notes of coffee bean and dark chocolate, and can be paired with 70% cocoa dark chocolate and black forest gateau.
