Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto 2011

Giuseppe Quintarelli's Recioto comes from the hills of Valpolicella Classica, northwest of Verona, in the Veneto region. The vines are planted on well-ventilated hillsides at moderate altitudes, where the calcareous and marly-clay soils promote slow and concentrated ripening of the grapes. The selected plots are located around the hamlet of Negrar, in the heart of a typical landscape of terraces and dry stone walls, offering an ideal microclimate for the production of sweet red wines made from dried grapes.

The grapes for Giuseppe Quintarelli's Recioto are hand-picked at full ripeness, then long dried on racks to concentrate sugars and aromas. After careful sorting, they are gently pressed and the must ferments slowly, often with indigenous yeasts, to retain a significant portion of residual sugars. Fermentation and aging take place over a long period in large oak barrels and/or casks, allowing for controlled oxygenation, complex aromatic refinement, and great stability before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of candied black cherry, dried plum, and fig, complemented by floral touches of violet and faded rose, spicy nuances of cinnamon and clove, as well as subtle cocoa and woody accents. On the palate, the texture is full and velvety, carried by a sweetness balanced by a present freshness, fine tannins, and a long, persistent, harmonious, 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!