Region: Varano de' Melegari, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Vino d'Italia)
Grapes: 100% Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
Body: Light to medium
Notes: Hazy amber and wildly aromatic. Dried apricot, orange blossom, candied ginger, rose hip, and a fine, persistent natural mousse with a dry, tannic, earthy finish. Sparkling orange wine from another dimension.
Pairing: Prosciutto di Parma, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, fried gnocco fritto, spiced charcuterie, or adventurous aperitivo spreads.
Podere Pradarolo "Vej" is one of Italy's most singular and beloved natural wines — a sparkling amber made from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica grown on the limestone and clay hills of the Ceno Valley near Parma, produced by Alberto and Claudia at their historic 17th-century estate. "Vej" means "old" in the local Parmigiano dialect, a reference to both the ancient traditions the wine draws from and the old vines it's sourced from. The wine undergoes extended skin maceration before a natural secondary fermentation in bottle in the méthode ancestrale tradition, with no disgorgement, no dosage, no additions, and no filtration — resulting in a hazy, lively, deeply aromatic sparkling orange wine with genuine tannic structure and extraordinary complexity. Featured in Wine & Spirits and celebrated by natural wine importers worldwide, "Vej" has become a cult reference point for what Italian natural sparkling wine can achieve when made with total conviction. One of the most exciting and unusual bottles in the GCF lineup.
Region: Varano de' Melegari, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Vino d'Italia)
Grapes: 100% Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
Body: Light to medium
Notes: Hazy amber and wildly aromatic. Dried apricot, orange blossom, candied ginger, rose hip, and a fine, persistent natural mousse with a dry, tannic, earthy finish. Sparkling orange wine from another dimension.
Pairing: Prosciutto di Parma, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, fried gnocco fritto, spiced charcuterie, or adventurous aperitivo spreads.
Podere Pradarolo "Vej" is one of Italy's most singular and beloved natural wines — a sparkling amber made from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica grown on the limestone and clay hills of the Ceno Valley near Parma, produced by Alberto and Claudia at their historic 17th-century estate. "Vej" means "old" in the local Parmigiano dialect, a reference to both the ancient traditions the wine draws from and the old vines it's sourced from. The wine undergoes extended skin maceration before a natural secondary fermentation in bottle in the méthode ancestrale tradition, with no disgorgement, no dosage, no additions, and no filtration — resulting in a hazy, lively, deeply aromatic sparkling orange wine with genuine tannic structure and extraordinary complexity. Featured in Wine & Spirits and celebrated by natural wine importers worldwide, "Vej" has become a cult reference point for what Italian natural sparkling wine can achieve when made with total conviction. One of the most exciting and unusual bottles in the GCF lineup.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.