Valtènesi Chiaretto (Lombardia)

Chiaretto is a classic Rosè wine from Lake Garda in Northern Italy.

Chiaretto means "The Little Light One".

Chiaretto Flavors

Chiaretto is dry, crisp, floral and salty. A great summer wine!

Red
Cherry

Pomegranate

Strawberry

Citrus

Peach

Rose Petals

Herbs

Minerals

Chiaretto Profile

Chiaretto (the little light one) is fresh and fruity:

SUGAR:	Dry (3 g/l)

BODY:	Light

FRUIT:	High

ACIDITY:	Medium Plus

ALCOHOL:	12-13% ABV

	Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F)

Chiaretto Pairing

Light Rosés pair best with light dishes.

Chiaretto loves Vegetables, Seafood, Shellfish. Crudités.

Aperitif

Salad

Zucchini

Seafood

Salmon

Fish

Asian Food

Fruit

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.

Mild sweet Light Rosés (Off-Dry) love:
Curries. Spicy Food. Fresh Fruit.

Cheeses

Mild Sheep and Goat Cheeses. Mozzarella. Brie.

Avoid

Rich 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.

Wine Region Lombardia

Photo by SlimMars 13

Black Grapes

White Grapes

17% Croatina
15% Pinot Nero
12% Barbera

13% Chardonnay

Red Wines	White Wines
Bonarda Moscato di Scanzo Oltrepò Pavese Sforzato di Valtellina Valtellina Valtellina Superiore	Lugana Oltrepò Pavese Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio Turbiana