Cavalchina, Chiaretto di Bardolino, Veneto, Italy, 2019

Cavalchina has a long history. It was founded in the early 1900s and was the first estate to label its white with the Custoza title, in 1962. In keeping with the modern style of Chiaretto, this wine is now made separately from the red (it was previously a by-product). This has some pithy aromas with citrus and sweet cherry hints. In the mouth it's relatively soft, the wave of fresh acidity slowly advancing on the mid-palate preventing the sweet cherry and strawberry fruits from tasting too cloying. It finishes quite dry and steely, although there's perhaps a touch of residual sugar remaining.