Rosso del Bepi 2016

Nestled in the hills of Valpolicella Classica, north of Verona, the Giuseppe Quintarelli estate cultivates its vines on well-exposed slopes with predominantly limestone and basalt soils. The plots that produce Rosso del Bepi are located around the hamlet of Negrar, on traditional terraces supported by dry stone walls. This wine-growing landscape, characterized by a temperate climate with Mediterranean influences, promotes slow and complete ripening of the grapes, yielding wines of great aromatic depth and remarkable finesse.

Resulting from meticulous manual harvesting, this red wine is crafted according to the house tradition, with a long fermentation on indigenous yeasts, from partially raisined grapes, in large vats. Maceration proceeds slowly to gently extract color and tannins. Aging then takes place over an extended period in large Slavonian oak barrels, where the wine matures for several years before bottling, gaining aromatic complexity and texture while preserving the estate's characteristic balance and freshness.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, ripe plum, and candied red fruits, enhanced by touches of violet and dried rose, as well as spicy nuances of sweet pepper, licorice, and clove. Woody and vanilla accents, with a slight balsamic character, complete the bouquet. On the palate, the texture is ample and velvety, supported by fine tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, savory, and harmonious 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!