Veneto

This Corvina-based blend comes from vineyards located in Sommacampagna, southeast of Lake Garda. Vivid yet delicate cherry-blossom pink in colour, it has a clean nose of red berry fruits, wild flowers and green apples, along with some subtle spicy notes. On the palate, the juicy sensation of fresh berries is fully revealed. The uplifting, youthful acidity makes it the perfect match for your aperitivo and can be drunk on its own or accompanied with summery Italian classics: prosciutto and melon, caprese salad or bruschette.

Prosecco is not generally revered for its status, albeit slightly unfairly. That said, the Valdobbiadene region is regarded as one of the best sources of Prosecco grapes, coming from vineyards 300 metres above sea-level. Here, the Glera (previously Prosecco) grape is blended with 15 percent Chardonnay by father-and-son team Eduardo and Paolo Trevisiol. The family tradition looks set to continue for many years to come, with Paolo’s son Dario already eyeing up his grandfather’s shoes as winemaker.

Fantastic Amarone styled wine from the tiny La Poja vineyard. Simply very special.

The Allegrini family have been in the Valpolicella Classico region since the 16th century, and to this day make some of the best examples, producing wines of richness, charm and great personality.  The late Giovanni Allegrini became the driving force of the company, the estate is now in the very capable and safe hands of his daughter Marilisa and son, Franco.

Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate says: “The Allegrini renaissance continues with this strong set of new releases from one of my favorite producers in Valpolicella.”

Allegrini's winemaking philosophy is largely based on the concept of ‘cru’ production: single vineyards dedicated to the production of local varieties which produce a single wine. The wines from this cru method have been a success worldwide. Palazzo della Torre and La Poja have set some of the highest benchmarks for Valpolicella's wines. 

The style of wine produced at the estate is, as you would expect from an Amarone producer, rich, opulent and expertly showing the soft and supple side of the wines of Veneto.

Always among our favourite Amarone, Marion’s fabulous example has hugely broad appeal. Complex aromas of mint and mocha compete for attention on the wonderfully-concentrated nose of this wine. Big and full-bodied on the palate, with notes of red and black berry-fruit alongside the mocha, this is a meal in itself, yet retains elegance and balance.

Marion is one of the most beautiful estates, just north of Verona on the site of a splendid 15th-century villa in the valley of Marcellise, once owned by the Conte Marioni, subsequently bought by the Campedelli family in 1986. Together with his wife, Nicoletta Fornasa, and brother Marco, Stefano started bottling in 1995; now the property has 22 hectares. Since 2006 they’ve been assisted by the talented Damiano Peroni. The estate lies just outside the Classico zone on predominantly chalk soils.

The 2006 Valpolicella Classico is a an attractive wine to drink now and over the next few years, as the flavors offer gorgeous complexity and nuance. Cedar, tobacco, smoke, worn-in leather and dried cherries are all laced together in the glass in a powerful Valpolicella loaded with class and personality. Firm tannins convey a decidedly old-school sense of structure. Drink 2015-2021 91/100
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, July 2015

Monte dei Ragni is a tiny jewel of a Valpolicella wine estate perched at between 250 and 350 metres above sea-level on the vertiginous slopes above Fumane, at the heart of the Valpolicella Classico zone. Only 1,200 bottles of their Amarone are produced.

What a joy to be able to offer this quintessential Amarone from the stupendo 2008 vintage. As we know from the rest of northern Italy, 2008 was a classic year, abundant, but without the extra charge visible in 2010. This one’s so together, so harmonious, with distinct black cherry notes. It’s already open and seductive, freshness coupled with forest fruit and dates.

Stefano’s desire to produce an Amarone with more freshness is clear in this elegant, yet full-bodied wine. Aromas reminiscent of stewed, sweet plums and wild herbs are supported by chocolate and roasted coffee. The mouth-feel is silky in texture and the weight of fruit buffers the tannins. Excellent balance.
Drink from 2016-2035.

Monte dei Ragni is a tiny jewel of a Valpolicella wine estate perched at between 250 and 350 metres above sea-level on the vertiginous slopes above Fumane, at the heart of the Valpolicella Classico zone. Only 1,200 bottles of their Amarone are produced.

As with Monte dei Ragni’s Ripasso, the production of this classically proportioned Amarone is very limited (only around 1,900 bottles were made). The fruit is bright and intense on the nose and palate, with plum pudding and mocha richness layered with dried figs and macerated cherry. The mid-palate is plump and the finish is generous. Drink now to 2027.

Just to clarify: it’s a Superiore as opposed to a ‘Ripasso’ on account of it not being passed over the lees of Amarone. A blend of autochthonous varieties Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara, Oseleta, Croatina, Sangioveto, the fruit was picked fresh from Zeno’s pergola trained vineyards & dried on wooden cassette/baskets for two weeks in an open barn (above a growing collection of vintage tractors!)

This natural (not forced) process leads to an evaporation of approx 10%of the water; the fruit being pressed once the stalks have turned brown (or else the green chlorophyll stains the wine & the taste). Fermented in open french tonneau (500 litre) before being aged for approx 3 years in the very same (used) tonneaux. What strikes you about this wine is its sublime gentleness, purity & drinkability.

Tasted blind you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a very ripe Pinot Noir! 2007 was dry & hot; some parts of the Valpolicella zone were hit by hail, but not in Zeno’s town of Fumane. Both the colour & nose of this wine echo the warmth of the vintage, being a sunny bright red colour with distinct ‘rosa canina’ (wild rose) floral & red berry notes, along with those of dried grass & spice.

The dry medium/full palate’s so textural with crushed strawberry flavours kept fresh & sapid by the salty, tangy that Zeno attributes to the (now outlawed?!) Molinara grape (pale in colour & richly structured). A brilliant companion at any meal, especially where there’s salami served. Drinking now till 2017 at least.
(David Berry Green)

Quintarelli, the Genius from the Veneto makes Vapolicella Amarone of artisanal, and internationally acclaimed status, legendary for its richness, complexity, vigour and longevity. Produced in very limited quantities, it oozes with fruit purity, and aromas of licorice, truffles and cured meat. Fabulously concentrated, showing layers of spiced fruits and cedar flavours, this is a powerful wine, from a great vintage that it is still infant in terms of its hugely-promising development potential.

This is a deep-seated and mesmerising wine whose silky balsamic flavours are harmoniously entwined. Zenos hands on approach both in the vineyard and cellar provide a wonderful freshness too, without being overbearing in alcohol.
David Berry Green, August 2011

A truly amazing wine, over ten years in the making, from the master of Amarone. The nose offers up astonishingly complex aromas of cherry, coffee, liquorice and botrytis. In the mouth these flavours are echoed and re-inforced by rich, sweet stewed fruit, chocolate and mixed spice. The glorious fruit is wrapped up in a dense velvety structure with dexterously balanced acidity and tannin, evolving into an extremely long elegant finish. Simply one of the best Amarones every produced. Hard to resist, even at this price.

With pretty aromas of pure red cherry, this has a bright and energetic attack, while the acidity is balanced by elegant fruit and fine-grained tannins. There’s plenty of energy across the palate and a long finish. Drink now to 2020.