Zýmē

Founding date1999
Hectares of vineyards30

(SAN PIETRO IN CARIANO – VERONA) Zýmē is one of the most iconic and virtuous wineries in Valpolicella. The best examples are the Venetian red wine Kairós, a blend of at least 15 vines, and the red Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG.

History of Zýmē Wines

Relying on consultants is not a custom in the Veneto area of ​​Valpolicella. Only some of the major professionals in the sector have found some clients in this part of Italy.

A choice that can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on your point of view, but it remains a fact to be taken into consideration to understand the wines of Valpolicella.

A decisive exception to the rule, however, is Celestino Gaspari who in 1999, after having worked as a consultant for numerous prestigious wineries in Valpolicella, embarked on a new adventure called Zýmē, from the Greek for ‘yeast’.

The Zýmē Cellar is therefore equipped with a very suggestive architectural structure with cutting-edge winemaking technologies, and over the years it has consolidated itself as a point of reference among the best excellences of Valpolicella.

Celestino Gaspari is not an easy man to categorize or define: he is versatile in interpreting many grape varieties and wine styles, and rejects limiting labels such as traditional or innovative, international or indigenous, classic or creative.

To date, the range of Zýmē wines is divided into 13 labels which cannot be repeated every year, for a total of approximately 180,000 bottles of annual production.

Philosophy of Zymè Wines

Respect for the environment and biodiversity are certainly key elements for the production of Zýmē wines. The winery, in fact, uses geothermal and photovoltaic energy to produce the energy used in the process and adopts virtuous agronomic practices based on environmental sustainability.

This attention is demonstrated by a rigorous mapping of the ecological footprint carried out by Zýmē to monitor and minimize the impact on the environment.

These choices adopted for the production of Zýmē wines allow us not to have to intervene with invasive corrective measures in the winemaking phase, allowing the grapes to become a sincere narrator of the territory of origin, in its specific pedoclimatic conditions, different vintages and native vines.

In fact, a very crucial aspect that distinguishes the philosophy of Zýmē wines consists in the meticulous parcellation of the vineyards based on the different soil and microclimate, to enhance the different and unique expressions of the wines in relation to the terroir.

Terroir of Zýmē Wines

The production of Zýmē wines extends over an area of ​​70 km, from the Berici Hills (VI), where international grapes are grown, such as Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, passing through the valleys at the foot of Lessinia in the denominations of Durello, Soave, Valpolicella DOC and ends in Valpolicella Classica on the border of the Val d’Adige. The richness of the territory, the knowledge of the terroir, the microclimate and the genetics of the vines, allows us to produce more labels with precise identities as evidence of the experience, and at the same time, of the great richness of the soil, exposure, altitude, symbiosis with different crops , which translates into complexity, character and above all identity (man-vine). The wine we find in the bottle is the expression of these two concepts: man in his identity, experience, claim and sensitivity, and the vine which is equally the expression of his own genetics, of the territory and of its peculiarities.

The soils from which Zýmē wines are born are very heterogeneous and are made up of clay mixed with yellowish, marly and tufaceous limestone, particularly rich in mineral micronutrients.

These ingredients, ideal for quality viticulture, give Zýmē wines an unmistakable flavor, taste-olfactory depth and aging potential.

Zýmē wines

The line of Zýmē wines is everything and the opposite of everything, divided into countless different types and styles, and testifies to great mastery and imagination in interpreting grape lysergic through instinct, experience and awareness.

The figure of Zýmē’s work is unique, the most varied range in the entire Valpolicella, which however remains uniform in terms of quality.

Among the Zýmē wines of great interest are the ‘602020’, an enveloping Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet, or the ‘Oseleta’, a sensational mono-varietal interpretation of the native red grape variety of Valpolicella.

Also very interesting is the ‘From Black to White’, a blend of Rondinella Bianca, Kerner, Gold Traminer, and Incrocio Manzoni, or the ‘Tranaltri’, impeccably made from Trebbiano and Garganega grapes. Also very exciting is the voluminous and sumptuous ‘Kairós’, a red wine with a unique character obtained from the blend of 15 grape varieties.

In addition, to take into consideration among the Zýmē wines are labels such as ‘Amarone Classico’ and ‘Amarone Classico Riserva’, ‘La Mattonara’, all, needless to say, extraordinary bottles.

Zýmē wines recommended by Italy’s Finest Wines

The 2016 Harlequin wine from Zýmē reveals a brilliant ruby color with garnet reflections as it ages. Notes of moss, carob, and minty sensations intertwine in a complex olfactory bouquet. On the palate, the phenolic structure is substantial and elegant, with a balanced acidity that imparts smoothness. The wine delivers a persistent and harmonious finish.

The production follows a vinification process with the fermentation of crushed grapes together in a cement tank with indigenous yeasts for approximately 30 days, followed by punch-downs, delestages, and sensory control. Aging takes place in new French oak barrels of 225 liters for 30 months, without decanting, and continues in the bottle for at least 2 years. Obtained from a blend of international and indigenous varieties, Harlequin is produced only in important vintages.

A unique work that celebrates the complexity and harmony of flavors and aromas, leaving an indelible mark on the tasting experience.

Score: 97/100 - Italy's Finest Wines - (Vintage 2016)

The 2019 Kairos wine from Zýmē presents itself in the glass with a vivid, brilliant ruby red color. The olfactory experience immerses in a symphony of distinctive aromas, where notes of ripe berries blend with hints of moss, carob, and pine resin, creating an intriguing sensory tableau. On the palate, the wine unfolds as a complex and enduring experience, with smooth tannins and an enveloping glyceric component.

This wine is the result of a blend of at least 15 grape varieties, including 4 white (Garganega, Tuscan Trebbiano, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay) and 11 red (Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syraz, Teroldego, Croatina, Oseleta, Sangiovese, and Marzemino), sourced from various Zýmē vineyards in the province of Verona. The vinification involves fermentation in steel and cement tanks using indigenous yeasts, lasting for 20-25 days. After this phase, the wine matures for at least 36 months in barriques, followed by an additional 12 months of bottle aging.

The 2019 Kairos is an extraordinary red wine that celebrates the art and science of blending, representing the vocation of Zýmē's vineyards and oenological mastery.

Score: 95/100 - Italy's Finest Wines - (Vintage 2019)

The 2015 Oseleta Zýmē wine presents itself in the glass with an intense purple-red color, tending towards violet. On the nose, it opens with enveloping notes of underbrush fruits, such as blueberry, currant, and wild blackberry, merging with hints of tar and humus, adding depth to the bouquet.

On the palate, Oseleta reveals a robust and substantial personality, characterized by great power and thickness. Well-integrated freshness and tannic texture contribute to a enveloping and rich taste profile, with sensational depth. The aging process of at least 36 months in barriques, followed by an additional 12 months in the bottle, imparts complexity and structure to the wine.

Oseleta is a unique wine that surprises with its fragrance, crispness, minerality, and freshness. The winemaking mastery of Celestino Gaspari, the founder of Zýmē, is evident in this wine that exudes emotion and innovation.

An oenological masterpiece with a territorial character born from a rare grape variety, which, after a refinement journey, has become one of the flagship wines of the winery.

Score: 95/100 - Italy's Finest Wines - (Vintage 2015)

The 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore by Zýmē stands out for its intense and brilliant ruby red color. On the nose, it opens with lively notes of candied red fruit and sour cherry, gently transitioning into nuances of faded flowers, licorice, and mentholated freshness. The palate provides a vibrant experience with silky tannins, remarkable freshness, and excellent sapidity.

The production process involves fermentation in September/October, followed by a second fermentation on the Amarone pomace using the "Ripasso" method for approximately 14 days. The wine matures for at least 36 months in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by an additional 6 months of aging in the bottle. This label represents an elegant synthesis of intensity and freshness, establishing itself as one of the excellences of Valpolicella Classico Superiore.

Score: 92/100 - Italy's Finest Wines - (Vintage 2019)

The bouquet captivates with an interweaving of floral notes of hawthorn and fresh white peach, embellished with hints of acacia honey and subtle mineral undertones. Fragrances of croissants and toasted almonds follow.

On the palate, it expresses richness and silkiness, accompanied by remarkable softness and freshness, emphasized by a subtle mineral character that imparts depth and structure to the taste.

An intriguing and engaging wine that masterfully balances flavors and aromas. The white wine "From Black to White," born from the blend of Rondinella Bianca, Gold Traminer, Kerner, and Incrocio Manzoni, undoubtedly stands among the most commendable white wines of the Veneto, boasting an excellent quality-to-price ratio.

Score: 90/100 - Italy's Finest Wines - (Vintage 2020)

Information & Contacts Zýmē

Adress: Via Cà del Pipa, 1 37029 San Pietro in Cariano VR
Telephone: +39 045 7701108
Website: www.zyme.it
e-mail: info@zyme.it
Tasting in the company: Yes
Direct Sales: Yes

Previous articleSartori di Verona
Next articleAzienda Agricola Poliziano
Jean Marco Palmieri è il giornalista e sommelier direttore della redazione di Italy’s Finest Wines, storico portale sul turismo del vino in Italia fondato da Daniel Thomases che vanta oltre 2 milioni e 100mila lettori e 6 milioni di interazioni annuali. Il sito web curato da Jean Marco Palmieri ha lo scopo di promuovere il vino, non esclusivamente come prodotto di consumo, ma come sintesi di territori, personaggi e vitigni autoctoni. Non una guida, ma un portale di divulgazione e approfondimento per gli appassionati del vino in Italia, con focus su tre punti cardine: Storia, Filosofia e Terroir.