Valtènesi Chiaretto (Lombardia)
Chiaretto is a classic Rosè wine from Lake Garda in Northern Italy.
Chiaretto means "The Little Light One".
Typical Flavors
 Red Cherry |
 Pomegranate |
 Strawberry |
 Citrus |
 Peach |
 Rose Petals |
 Herbs |
 Minerals |
Chiaretto is dry, crisp, floral and salty. A great summer wine!
Chiaretto Profile
Chiaretto (the little light one) is fresh and fruity:
| SUGAR: | Dry 3g/l | ||
| BODY: | Light | ||
| FRUIT: | High | ||
| ACIDITY: | Medium-High | ||
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Food Pairing
 Aperitif |
 Salad |
 Zucchini |
 Seafood |
 Salmon |
 Fish |
 Asian Food |
Fruit |
Light Rosés pair best with light dishes.
Pairing Suggestions
Excellent Pairings
Salads. Appetizers. Avocado. Gazpacho.Light Pasta and Rice Dishes.
Light Cous Cous and Tagine.
Grilled Vegetables. Zucchini. Pesto.
Fennel. Artichoke. Asparagus.
Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
Prawns. Shrimp. Dim Sum.
Calamari. Crab. Lobster.
Beef or Fish Carpaccio. Grilled Fish.
Salmon. Sushi. Sashimi.
Raw Fish Platter. Gravlax.
Chicken. Rabbit. Veal.
Strawberries. Fruit.
Best Match Cuisine: Vegetarian. Asian. Moroccan. Mediterranean.
Dry Light Rosé wines love: Vegetables. Seafood. Shellfish. Crudités.
Mild sweet Light Rosés (Off-Dry) love: Curries. Spicy Food. Fresh Fruit.
Cheeses
Mild Sheep and Goat Cheeses. Mozzarella. Brie.
Avoid:
Rich Winter Food. Red Meat. Game.
Savoury Stews. Creamy Sauces.
Blue Cheeses. Aged Cheeses.
About Chiaretto
Chiaretto Valtenesi is a blend of Groppello grapes and has some tannins, tart cherry and spice flavors.
To obtain such a light rosé, local winemakers use a bleeding technique called Saignée in French or Salasso in Italian. It means they quickly take a part of the must away from the tank and use that to make rosé. While the remaing must in the tank stays longer in contact with the skins becoming a red wine.
The 'bleeding' technique is often criticized as the real purpose is to produce more concentrated red wine and rosé is just a by-product.
The Rosé Revolution started in 2014, has changed the game. Now producers have abbandoned the french Saignée and grow and harvest grapes expressly for Chiaretto: early picking the grapes to retain acidity and use of low contact time just like for white wines.
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
17% Croatina |
13% Chardonnay |
Red Wines |
White Wines |
Bonarda |
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Rosè Wines |
Sparkling Wines |
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Soil |
Climate |
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Lombardia DOCG Regions:
- Franciacorta DOCG
- Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
- Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
- Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG
- Valtellina Superiore DOCG