Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes are selected from 36 ha of hillside vineyards in Marano di Valpolicella, in the Valpolicella area of Verona, Veneto. The vineyards stand at 300 m on limestone-based, calcareous Eocene soils, with a planting density of 3,000 vines per hectare. Vines are trained to pergoletta semplice and Guyot. The English description gives a south-east exposure, while the Italian version gives south-west.
Grapes
Corvina Veronese and Corvinone Veronese 80%, Rondinella 20%. The finest bunches are picked and selected by hand at the end of September. The fruit is sound and reaches a high sugar concentration.
The grapes are dried naturally and traditionally for about 20 days, with close attention paid to bunch integrity and health.
Vinification
The lightly dried grapes are softly pressed. Fermentation takes place at a controlled 25–26 °C with two punch-downs each day, followed by 15–20 days of skin maceration.
Ageing
The wine matures for 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 20, 30 and 50 hL, followed by six months of bottle development.
Technical data
Alcohol: 14.3% vol. Total acidity: 5.7 g/L. Residual sugar: 6.2 g/L. Net dry extract: 30 g/L.
Tasting profile
Intense ruby red with a violet rim. The spicy bouquet carries concentrated aromas of ripe cherry, bitter almond and tobacco. The palate is dry, full and rich, finishing with a pleasantly bitter accent.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 17–18 °C. Traditional pairings include Amarone risotto, pumpkin risotto, roast red meats, game and rack of lamb. Other suggested dishes include fillet in pastry, sliced beef steak and lamb ribs.
