Alzero Cabernet 2015

Located in the heart of Valpolicella, in the hills north of Verona, the Giuseppe Quintarelli estate cultivates Alzero vines on well-exposed hillsides overlooking the valley. The plots, planted on limestone and basaltic soils mixing clay and pebbles, benefit from a ventilated climate and significant temperature variations. This privileged location, between the pre-Alpine foothills and Lake Garda, allows for slow and complete ripening of the grapes, an essential condition for the appassimento method and for obtaining deep and complex red wines.

Made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot vines, this red wine is produced using the estate's traditional method, with manual harvesting followed by a long appassimento (grape drying). After gentle pressing, fermentation proceeds slowly, with prolonged maceration to extract color and aromatic complexity. Aging then takes place over many years in large oak barrels and casks of various sizes, allowing for controlled oxygenation and progressive refinement of the tannic structure before late bottling.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruits, candied cherry, and prune, enriched with nuances of violet and dried rose, complemented by spicy touches of pepper, licorice, and clove, as well as woody accents of vanilla, light tobacco, and cocoa. The palate presents a full and velvety texture, carried by fresh acidity, fine yet firm tannins, and a long, warm, and persistent finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!