Amarone della Valpo Classico 2018

Located in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, north of Verona, the Giuseppe Quintarelli estate spans rolling hills overlooking the Negrar valley. The vines for this Amarone cuvée come from terraced plots primarily facing southwest, planted on limestone and basalt soils rich in stones, ensuring excellent drainage. The climate is tempered by the influence of Lake Garda and the protection of the Pre-Alps, allowing for slow and complete maturation of the grapes before traditional raisining.

The grapes are harvested manually at perfect ripeness then subjected to a long raisining process on drying racks, promoting concentration and aromatic complexity. After meticulous sorting, the berries are destemmed and fermentation proceeds slowly, with long macerations allowing for deep extraction of color and tannins. The wine is then aged for many years in large oak barrels, where it gradually refines, gaining in texture, harmony, and depth before bottling at the Giuseppe Quintarelli estate.

This wine reveals notes of candied black cherry, dried plum, and fig, complemented by floral touches of faded violet and dried rose, as well as spicy nuances of pepper, licorice, and clove. Woody accents of cocoa, sweet tobacco, and vanilla mingle with a subtle balsamic dimension. The palate is full and velvety, supported by fine tannins, a fresh acidity that balances the richness, and a long, warm, and flavorful 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!