Varvàra
ヴァルヴァラ
Castello di Bolgheri
Cabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Cabernet Franc · Petit Verdot
About this wine
Varvàra is Castello di Bolgheri's more approachable second wine, named in honor of Baroness Varvàra Wrangel, wife of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca and great-grandmother of current owner Federico Zileri Dal Verme. A Bolgheri DOC blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot, it was created to give an earlier-drinking, fruit-forward expression of the estate's Bordeaux varieties while still reflecting the coastal Tuscan terroir. Exact blend percentages shift slightly by vintage, but Cabernet Sauvignon consistently leads.
An accessible, fruit-driven introduction to Bolgheri's Bordeaux-style reds — softer and more immediate than the estate's flagship.
Sommelier's Note
"The best-value entry point into Bolgheri's Super Tuscan world — Cabernet-driven power with none of the wait."
Food Pairings
A versatile match for red meat and mushroom-based mains — think grilled steak, venison, or pasta with a hearty meat ragù. The medium body and refined tannins also work well with roasted poultry and aged hard cheeses.
When to drink it
Weeknight dinners with grilled meats, casual gatherings, everyday fine dining
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Price Range
- $40-55 (750ml, US retail)
Terroir & Winemaking
Grapes are hand-selected from the estate's Bolgheri vineyards. Fermentation takes place in steel vats, followed by aging for around 12 months using a combination of 500-liter tonneaux and 35-hectolitre oak casks. Alcohol typically ranges 14-15% depending on vintage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Varvàra taste like?
- Expect ripe raspberry and cherry fruit with notes of thyme and mint, medium body, good depth, and long, refined tannins — a fresher, more immediate style than the estate's flagship wine.
- What food pairs well with Varvàra?
- It pairs naturally with grilled or roasted red meat, venison, and pasta with meat-based sauces such as Bolognese; the moderate tannins also suit roasted poultry.
- How is Varvàra different from the estate's top wine?
- Varvàra is Castello di Bolgheri's Bolgheri DOC second wine, built to drink sooner and show more immediate fruit, while the top wine (labeled simply Castello di Bolgheri, a Bolgheri Superiore) is more structured and built for longer aging.
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