All About Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Wine

Amarone red wine is a fascination for many! The name means “great bitter,” but way more than that. It will not be wrong if I say it is the soul of the wine world. Yes, you heard it right! This Italian wine is so elegant on the palate and powerful on the nose. It is not just a wine but a wholesome experience that your soul will crave. If you want to know everything about this bottle of love, I have mentioned all about it here. Grab a cup of coffee to enjoy this journey of wine!

Origin and Grapes

• Amarone is a red wine that has its origin in the Valpolicella valley in the Veneto, northeastern region of Italy. It is made in mainly three areas: Classico, Est, and Valpantena.
• Classico is the central valley of Valpolicella Classico that stretches out of the Lessini Mountains. Amarone of this region is boldly aromatic, much softer, and fruit-forward.
• Valpantena region lies in the east of the Classico region. Amarone from this region offers more fruit flavors and herb aromas.
  There are around 12,000 acres of land worldwide where grape varieties of Amarone wine have been grown. There are very few grape varieties that are permitted for Amarone wine.
• The primary grape varieties are Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and some lesser-known ones. Corvinone and Corvina grapes varieties are grown in Valpolicella.
• These grapes add different characteristics to the wine; for example, the Corvina grape gives the aroma and flavors, while Corvinone contributes more to Amarone wine’s color tannin level.
• Grape varieties like Molinara and Oseleta have sometimes been added in smaller quantities.

How is it made?

• A unique method goes into making this wine called the appassimento method. The core reason behind using this method is to concentrate the grapes’ levels of sugar, flavors, and acidity.
• Even the harvesting of grapes is manual and not through machines so that the skin does not get any damage while harvesting them. According to the law for Amarone, only 60-70% of harvested grapes can be used, so winemakers select the best ones among them.
• The bunches of harvested grapes are laid down in a single layer manner to avoid crushing on wooden (now many prefer plastic trays) trays so that they can dry completely. This process takes place indoors.
• This process takes about 3-4 months; these grapes lose their weight up to 30% and look like raisins resulting in concentrated sugar, acidity, and flavors. The winemaker decides how long this process should go according to the style he wants to produce.
• After the drying process, the fermentation takes place.
  Due to the high sugar content in the grapes, the fermentation goes slow. After the completion of this process, your wine is ready for aging.
• Amarone wine remains for a minimum of two years in wooden barrels and can stay there for up to nine years.

Taste and Flavors

• Amarone wines are produced in more than one style, but some basic things remain the same. It is a full-bodied red wine with firm tannins with alcohol levels of around 14-16%.
• It usually offers flavors of fig, cherry, black cherry, cinnamon, and plum sauce with high acidity levels. You will also sense some faded notes of chocolates and peppercorns. The residual sugar in the wine gives it its boldness.
• It is mainly produced in three styles;
  Normale- It has to be aged for a minimum of two years in an oak barrel. It is preferred that it is best drunk by its 10th birthday when it is about roundness and softness.
  Riserva- It has to be aged for a minimum of four years. Some fruits are fermented separately and aged extra. This version can last for up to 20 years in the bottle.
  Recioto- This one is on the sweet side, more concentrated and complex.

Food Pairings

• Amarone wine can be a good companion of meat dishes based explicitly on a game such as a truffle, woodcock with toasted bread, and duck mousse. This wine has classical pair with pasta and duck sauce.
• Another meat that also goes well with Amarone wine is red. Red meat in braised beef and all slow-cooked dishes will work.
• Another pairing that is worth trying is donkey meat stew, which will taste divine.
• Cheese is also a good option, so cheese varieties like taleggio, murazzano, and reblochon will perfectly compliment your wine.

3 Great Buys

1. 1998 Dal Forno Romano Amarone della valpolicella vigento di Monte Lodoletta

• Price: $999
• This is a black full-bodied red Amarone with dry fruit flavors, exotic spice, mocha, raisin, and vanilla.

2. Tedeschi marne 180 Amarone della valpolicella

• Price: $47.44
• This wine is bold and dark with fruit and floral flavors, along with aromas of tar, spice, and rubber.

3. Bussalo Amarone della valpolicella classico 2013

• Price: $69.99
• This wine has a deep ruby hue and offers you flavors of raisin, figs, dates, dried plum, leather, and balsamic eucalyptus with high acidity.

Conclusion

Amarone di Valpolicella Classico wine is one of the world’s greatest Italian red wines. It is a DOCG wine and is only produced in the northeastern region of Veneto, Italy. Made from a selection of grapes, mainly it may be aged up to 20 years if stored well and best served at an average temperature of 16°-18° C. Before enjoying, leave it for at least an hour to enjoy it to the fullest. So, when are you going to try this bottle of love?