With people staying at home, there is less outside entertainment, but at times like these, it's time to enjoy a leisurely glass of wine at home. What kind of wine do you choose when you want to enjoy high-quality wine? At times like these, we recommend ``Amarone della Valpolicella''.
This red wine, which attracts wine lovers, has a unique brewing process, giving it an aroma and concentration that cannot be found in other wines. This time, we will introduce Amarone della Valpolicella, which has such a unique taste.
What is Amarone della Valpolicella?
Amarone della Valpolicella is a red wine produced in the Valpolicella region of Veneto, Italy. It is located about 15 kilometers northwest of Verona, famous for Romeo and Juliet. Traditionally, this region produced a sweet wine called "Lechoto." Recioto is made from grapes that are dried in the shade, and the sugar content that remains during the alcoholic fermentation of the grapes gives it a sweet taste.
In fact, Amarone della Valpolicella was a failure of Reccioto. In 1936, Adelino Lucchese, cellar manager of the Valpolicella Wine Cooperative, tasted lecioto that had been forgotten in barrels and had lost its residual sugar content. The result was a wine that was not sweet, had complexity, and had structure. He was surprised and said, ``This wine is not Amaro (bitter), but Amarone (a comparative grade of Amaro)!'' and so he called it Amarone della Valpolicella (Amarone made in the Valpolicella region). It was named. Amarone became world famous and became a wine that fascinated wine connoisseurs.
Amarone della Valpolicella brewing process
Amarone is also made from shade-dried grapes, as it is a dry version of sweet lecioto. The main grape varieties used are Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, and Rondinella, which are indigenous to this region. The harvested grapes are placed on a drainboard and left to dry naturally (apassimento) for about 100 to 120 days in a well-ventilated room called a ``fruttai.'' Appassimento removes moisture from the grapes and increases the sugar content, which is what gives Amarone della Valpolicella its concentrated flavor.
There are records that this appassimento was used as wine for the mass of Visigoth kings, a method already practiced in the 4th century.
Due to appassimento, 35-45% of the total weight of the grapes evaporates as water, so the yield relative to the raw material is less than that of regular wine. Its rarity also captivates wine lovers.
Due to the high sugar content of grapes, the alcohol content is also high, at over 14 degrees. The wine is then aged in barrels for at least two years, resulting in a wine with a complex aroma.
Although Amarone della Valpolicella is such a great wine, it was only relatively recently that it was promoted to DOCG (Designation of Origin Guaranteed) in 2010. This is a wine with a surprisingly short history.
Valpolicella terroir and taste
To the west of the Valpolicella region lies Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. The warm, lake-influenced climate, calcareous soils and hilly terrain give the wines of Valpolicella a unique taste. Grapes produce concentrated sugars and just the right amount of acid, and the resulting wines are rich and have a complex flavor that combines aromas of fruit and spices. It is a long-aging wine that can easily age for 20 to 30 years.
Dishes that go well with Amarone della Valpolicella
The dish that goes well with the concentrated Amarone della Valpolicella is definitely stewed beef. The stewed game meat is also great. By pairing it with rich foods, both the wine and the food will become even more flavorful. Aged hard cheeses are also a classic pairing.
Wine is delicious to drink on its own, but it's a wine you'll want to enjoy slowly while enjoying food. An elegant wine perfect for a calm dinner.
Recommended Amarone della Valpolicella
Allegrini / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico [2019] 750ml, red
Allegrini is a family-run winery that has been making wine in Valpolicella since the 16th century. The historic Allegrini winemaking techniques have greatly contributed to the improvement of Valpolicella wines. From our 100 hectares of vineyards, we produce high quality wines that express the Valpolicella terroir.
It is also known as the top maker of Amarone della Valpolicella, and consistently receives over 90 points from Wine Spectator. Gambero Rosso is a regular at Torre Bicchiere and was awarded ``Winery of the Year'' in 2016. In addition, the 2016 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ranked 6th in the 2021 ranking of Gentleman, which summarizes the ratings of 6 Italian wine guide magazines.
This Amarone della Valpolicella Classico has a very gorgeous and complex aroma, full of fruit aromas such as dried cherry, blueberry and plum, herbs and spices, vanilla and chocolate. Velvety tannins, a plump body, and a sweet taste that spreads throughout the mouth and lingers for a long time.
Bertani / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 750ml Red Limited Edition
Bertani is a winery in the Verona area founded in 1857 by the Bertani brothers. We respect the nature and tradition of this area and carefully craft our wines. Appassimento is completely air-dried without any dehumidification. Fermentation then takes place over a period of 50 days in cement tanks.
This Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is aged for six years, far exceeding the legal aging period of two years. The barrel is 60HL Slovonian oak. This Amarone is then released after a year of bottle aging, which is a very time-consuming process.
Aromas of fruits such as plums and cherries are followed by aromas of dried fruits, black tea leaves, licorice and spices. In the fruity taste, there is a nuance of vanilla derived from the barrel. It has a bewitching taste with a wonderful balance of tannins and acidity.
Bertani / Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena
Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena 750ml, red
This Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena, also made by Bertani, is aged for two years. This Amarone uses Slovonian oak and barrique to create a more modern flavor. A mellow and elegant taste with a gorgeous aroma of blackberry and cherry fruit and spices.
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Even around the world, red wines that are dried in the shade and then fermented are extremely rare, and this is the greatest appeal of Amarone della Valpolicella. Sit back and enjoy your Amarone while feeling the breeze blowing through the hills of Valpolicella. This is a wine that seems to bring happiness along with the wind.
