Zeni Cruino Rosso Veronese 2022

The vineyards lie in the wine-growing area of Valpolicella  at an altitude ranging from 150 to 450 metres. The terroir consists of red and brown earth, calcareous marl and basalt. The grapes were harvested by hand in several passes to ensure optimal ripeness of the bunches. The grapes are then laid out on trays, where they are left to dry slightly (raisining). This process leads to a loss of volume of 50% to 70%, during which, of course, the berries become naturally concentrated. The bunch, perfectly healthy and ripe at harvest, must not suffer from any defect. The slightest deterioration during raisining means it is discarded. After about 4 months of raisining comes a traditional vinification with 2–3 weeks of maceration, then ageing in French oak barrels for 10 to 18 months depending on the vintage. The wine shows a deep ruby colour with no notable sign of evolution. On the nose, it is a synthesis of freshness and aromatic power, evoking very ripe black fruit, dried fruit, plum, sweet spices and blond tobacco, with a slight balsamic nuance. Despite its high alcoholic strength, this wine develops a thoroughly seductive aromatic palette.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others...



But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion.



Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!