Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella is an appellation derived from the wines of Valpolicella, in the Veneto region. The specific area covered by this appellation is located north of Verona, between the villages of Sant Ambrogio and Montecchia di Corsara. Amarone della Valpolicella was classified as DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) in 2009. Like certain famous recipes or wines, Amarone della Valpolicella is the result of an accident, but this does not make it any less one of Italy's most sought-after wines.

According to tradition, Amarone is said to have originated as a Recioto that was "forgotten" by a producer. The production of Amarone della Valpolicella begins with a late harvest, with the grapes then dried in the open air for around three months before being pressed. For Recioto, fermentation is interrupted to produce a sweet wine. However, 70 years ago, a winemaker failed to interrupt the fermentation process. The sugars then turned into alcohol, transforming the Recioto into Amarone, a dry red wine that is more bitter and has a relatively high alcohol content (14% to 16%).

Made from Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes,Amarone della Valpolicella is a wine with a very long aging potential. Fruity in its early years, its powerful flavors develop after 5 to 8 years of aging. This "mistake" in winemaking has thus resulted in a red wine of great complexity, one of the most appreciated vintages in Italy.