Ca' dei Frati, 'Brolettino' Lugana 2022

On so many brilliant Italian lists in London, including Luca and Franco's and Locanda Locatelli, and impossible to buy at this price anywhere I know, this is another luxurious, elegant and classy addition to the Whitfield Wines Italian whites selection. A huge favourite for lovers of Burgundy who cannot tear themselves away from the shores of Lake Garda. 

The Dal Cero family has transformed the Ca’ dei Frati property, situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, into a model Italian estate over the past two decades. Back in 1987, they had 12 hectares of vineyard but now, following the purchase of a large area of prime vineyard sites in 2008, they have over 200 hectares. This increase in quantity has been matched by an increase in quality, and today they remain the best producer in Lugana.

Igino Dal Cero’s is obsessed with detail. All the fruit is picked by hand and he ensures there is no skin contact as he wants to retain the delicate perfumes and enhance the supple texture of the whites. He has changed his mind on malolactic fermentation and now inhibits it in order to give the wine the lift he feels it benefits from. He is now convinced that a period of ageing on lees post fermentation gives greater richness on the palate as well as the wonderful flintiness on the nose that gives his wine this Burgundian quality.  This is serious stuff. 

The wine is lively and scented, and offers superb value. Made solely from the Turbiana variety (related to Verdicchio, it was formerly known as Trebbiano di Lugana and then Lugana), the wine has depth and zip that few wines from this area demonstrate. This single-vineyard Lugana, the ‘Brolettino’, is barrel fermented and aged for 10 months. The oak is nicely integrated with the fruit to give a wonderful texture and complexity to the wine. 

Oh and its award winning!  It got the Gold International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2021 and Silver International Wine Challenge in the same year. 

A must try and you will be hooked!