Chiaretto is a classic Rosè wine from Lake Garda in Northern Italy.
Chiaretto means "The Little Light One".
Red Cherry |
Pomegranate |
Strawberry |
Citrus |
Peach |
Rose Petals |
Herbs |
Minerals |
Chiaretto is dry, crisp, floral and salty. A great summer wine!
Chiaretto (the little light one) is fresh and fruity:
SUGAR | Dry | ||
BODY | Light | ||
FRUIT | High | ||
ACIDITY | Medium-High | ||
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Bardolino Chiaretto is made with Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara and is more fruity.
Chiaretto (means pale, light colored, clear) Bardolino is the Rosé version of Amarone because it is made with the same grapes.
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.