PODERE PRADAROLO VEJ

"Vej" from Podere Pradarolo is a striking natural orange wine that embodies the ancient winemaking traditions and innovative spirit of Alberto and Claudia Carretti at their biodynamic estate in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. Made from 100% Malvasia di Candia Aromatica grapes grown on clay-limestone soils in the Parma hills near Varano de’ Melegari, this wine reflects its south-facing vineyard’s unique microclimate of cool breezes and significant day-night temperature swings. Hand-harvested from vines planted between 1989 and 2005, the grapes undergo an extended maceration—typically 90 to 210 days—in concrete tanks, fermenting spontaneously with native yeasts. Aged in stainless steel or large oak barrels, it’s bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without added sulfites, resulting in a vivid amber hue. The nose reveals a complex bouquet of candied citrus peel, dried white flowers, lavender, and tea-like herbal notes, while the palate offers a textured, tannic structure with bright acidity and flavors of preserved stone fruit and spice. Far from a typical easy-drinking orange wine, "Vej"—meaning "old" in the local dialect—delivers a profound, age-worthy expression of its terroir, perfect with hearty dishes like grilled chicken or aged cheeses, showcasing Podere Pradarolo’s dedication to ecological purity and ancestral craft.