Riviera del Garda Superiore Leone 1957
The Riviera del Garda Superiore Leone 1957 is an Italian red wine produced by Fratelli Folonari S.p.A. under the Leone brand. Founded in 1825, the historic producer carries a prestigious legacy, having served as an official supplier to the Royal House of Italy and the Sacred Apostolic Palaces. The estate's historical recognition also includes being awarded the Gran Premio Gold Medal in Turin in 1911. This specific vintage was estate-bottled at the origin.
The wine originates from the Riviera del Garda, located in the Lombardy region within the province of Brescia. Situated along the western shores of Lake Garda, the vineyards lie in the Colline Moreniche del Lago di Garda. The area benefits from an exceptionally mild, pre-alpine microclimate with Mediterranean characteristics, as the vast lake acts as a natural thermal buffer. The local terroir is defined by soils rich in moraine gravel, limestone, and clay, which were deposited by the ancient Garda glacier during the Ice Age.
Holding the Superiore classification, red wines from this specific area are traditionally crafted using the local Groppello grape. In the Riviera del Garda, Groppello makes up a significant portion of the blend and is frequently supplemented by other regional varieties such as Sangiovese, Marzemino, and Barbera, reflecting the established viticultural practices of the Lake Garda hills.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Riviera del Garda
Riviera del Garda is a historic wine region located in Lombardy in northern Italy. The area stretches along the western shore of Lake Garda in the province of Brescia and includes the hilly landscape known as Colline Moreniche as well as the Valtènesi zone. Historically, the wines from here have been known under the name Riviera del Garda, which was later formalized into appellations such as Riviera del Garda Bresciano and today Riviera del Garda Classico DOC.
The climate in the region is unique and is highly influenced by the large water mass of Lake Garda, which acts as a temperature regulator. This creates a mild, almost Mediterranean-like microclimate at the foot of the Alps, which protects the vines from extreme temperatures. The moraine hills that make up the landscape offer well-drained and mineral-rich soils that provide good conditions for viticulture.
The wine tradition on the western shore of Lake Garda has roots dating back to antiquity. The area is especially known for its red wines and rosé wines, where the local grape variety Groppello plays a central role. In the traditional red wines, Groppello is often blended with varieties such as Marzemino, Sangiovese and Barbera. The production has historically ranged from light wines to more structured Superiore versions, which reflect the special characteristics of the local terroir.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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