Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2017

Giuseppe Quintarelli's Valpolicella Classico Superiore comes from the hills of the historic Valpolicella Classica zone, northwest of Verona, in Veneto. The vines are planted on well-exposed slopes with calcareous and basaltic soils, which promote a slow and complete ripening of the grapes. The plots are located around the hamlet of Negrar and the neighboring valleys, benefiting from a temperate climate influenced by Lake Garda and the Pre-Alpine mountains, offering temperature variations conducive to the wine's aromatic expression and natural balance.

At the Giuseppe Quintarelli estate, the grapes intended for Valpolicella Classico Superiore are harvested manually, with a rigorous selection in the vineyard. A portion of the harvest is vinified fresh, while another is slightly dried before pressing. Fermentation proceeds slowly in vats, with long macerations. The wine is then aged for a long time in large Slavonian oak barrels, where it patiently refines, gaining aromatic complexity and texture, before being bottled at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, ripe plum, and candied red fruits, complemented by delicate floral touches, nuances of sweet spices and pepper, as well as subtle woody and tobacco accents. The palate offers a full and silky texture, supported by a fresh acidity, fine and well-integrated tannins, and a long, flavorful, and slightly balsamic finish, leaving an impression of balance and depth.

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!