Amarone: One of Italy's Greatest Symbolic Wines | The Kitchn Amarone: One of Italy's Greatest Symbolic Wines Amarone: One of Italy's Greatest Symbolic Wines Any lovers of Amarone out there? Despite being one of Italy's most symbolic wines it is little understood and often much under-appreciated. A recent tasting of the best the region has to offer certainly opened my mind. What is Amarone? Amarone is a style of red wine produced in the Valpolicello area of the Veneto in northeastern Italy. Think Verona and Romeo & Juliet and you are there! While great diversity certainly exists, typically the wines are dry, fresh, full-bodied with lots of extract, high alcohol (15-16%), and complex with great depth and flavor concentration. While I have tasted many an Amarone in my time, I've tended to avoid them in recent years, finding many too austere and powerful for my typical table and guests. I've also been concerned about drinking wines of 15-16% alcohol. Well, how I have been proven wrong. I was simply trying the wines too young.

The current release on the US market is 2005, but the youngest wines I tasted today were from 2000 - ten-year-old wines that are just about opening up. The Vineyards and the Grapes The best Amarone wines are made from grapes from the best hillside vineyards, where poor soils force the vine roots to dig deep for water and nutrients. These poor soils also keep yields in check, ensuring small, concentrated berries packed with flavor. Indigenous grape varieties from the region are also key to Amarone's uniqueness. Corvino is the main player (called the Queen), providing backbone, structure, body and acidity. Other indigenous varieties such as Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and the lesser-known Oseleta are all important ingredients in the final mix, each adding its own special flavors and dimension to the wines. How the wines are made Key words that come up again and again when talking about Amarone are 'selection' and 'drying'. Amarone wines are made from carefully selected bunches of the best grapes. These grapes are then dried (or dehydrated) before fermentation. Traditionally the grapes were dried on wooden racks at ambient temperatures.

Today many producers use special temperature and humidity-controlled rooms for this process to ensure that mold does not attack the grapes. This drying process, which lasts between three and four months, is critical to the unique character of Amarone. As the grapes shrivel, sugars, acids, tannins, flavors, extract and other grape compounds concentrate. Additionally various reactions occur within the grapes themselves creating more complexity. Once dried the grapes are crushed and then fermented until dry. Most wines undergo an extended maceration on the skins, just to make sure that all of the complexities and goodness from the shriveled skins ends up in the wine. Then the wines are matured in oak for at least two years for 'normale' Amarone and four years for Riserva. Within the Amarone style of wines, there is great diversity between producers depending on such factors as the vineyard location, drying time for the grapes, length and temperature of fermentation, size of barrel and length of maturation as well as the final blend of grapes. DOC or DOCG Traditionally recognized simply as a style of Valpolicello, Amarone enjoyed DOC quality status.

However, after much determined lobbying to seek its own denomination of quality, Amarone was finally granted the more elevated status of DOCG, beginning with the 2010 vintage. However, we won't see this designation on a bottle of Amarone for a few years until the 2010's enter the market circa 2013 to 2014. The unique taste of Amarone As I tasted through the flight of 12 wines yesterday I was most struck by the vibrancy of the wines, their freshness, the way that the high levels of tannin were so seamlessly integrated with the fruit. In particular, I was struck by the fact that despite having alcohol levels between 15% and 16% the wines were extremely balanced, warm in some cases but never aggressive or intrusive. Additionally, even in the most 'modern' style, the oak was never overt, instead adding subtle background and complexity to the fruit. Many of the wines I describe as rich, full-bodied, even powerful, yet we had no blockbusters — power being beautifully balanced by elegance in many cases.

I was also struck by the intense focus of the wines, how each wine, while displaying a character that was undeniably Amarone, showed its very clearly defined unique personality and sense of place. Amarone at the table Full-bodied, with lots of tannin and extract, these wines call for meat and hearty rich dishes. Aged ribeye or roast venison both came to mind several times during the tasting. The wines' bright acidity and tannins are well able to break down even the richest of dishes. As we get further into fall and winter approaches, this might be the time to try an Amarone, if it has not usually been on your list of go-to wines. Given the rigorous selection process, time spent drying the grapes and long maturation times these wines are not inexpensive. For a good quality Amarone, be prepared to pay $50 and above. Not for everyday drinking, these are wines for special occasions, wines to gift and in particular wines to lay down and open in five to ten years.

Wines to Try All the wines came from a group of wineries known as the 'Famiglie dell'Amarone d'Arte' - which is translated as the Amarone Families - a group of 12 historic Amarone families dedicated to the production of the highest quality Amarone. • 1. 2000 Musella Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva DOC - Probably the most 'modern' of the wines tasted. While a little austere it was rich and intensely flavored, showing vibrant fruit and lots of firm tannins. Long length. Needs more time. • 2. 2000 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva DOC- Sergio Zenato - Very classical Amarone in style showing both color and aroma evolution and development. Lots of earthy, leathery aromas and flavors, with hints of roasted meats. Rich but elegant. • 3. 2000 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico - Elegant, classical, savory showing lots of vibrant fresh cherry and plum fruit. Well-integrated smooth fine-grained tannins. Richly textured with a very long length. • 4.

2000 Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico Capitel Monte Olmi - One of my firm favorites. Very elegant, savory, rich and earthy with lots of minerality. Very refreshing and packed with lively bright fruit. Aromas and flavors just kept evolving in the glass. Smooth, complex and very lingering. • 5. 2000 Nicolis Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico Ambrosan - A richer, more powerful style showing lots of ripe baked red fruits. Full-bodied with firm, structuring tannins. Smooth all across the palate with a very long finish. • 6. 1997 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico Campo Dei Gigli - Thirteen years old and still fresh as a daisy. Rich, but elegant showing lots of enticing savory forest floor, earthy aromas that draw you in. Hints of floral notes add an extra dimension. Smooth with a very long finish. • 7.1997 Venturini Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico - Another favorite. More traditional style, showing lots of tertiary development - earthy, leathery aromas.

Ripe sweet fruit on the palate, lots of minerality, hints of dried herbs and a long focused finish. • 8. 1997 Begali Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico Monte Ca Bianca - Complex, layered, savory nose that kept on evolving in the glass. Full-bodied, richly flavored with bright fruit flavors still showing strongly across the palate. Refreshing with well-integrated fine tannins. Long with a lovely lifted floral note on the finish. • 9. 1997 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico - Yet another firm favorite of the day. Extremely complex, layered, rich, powerful with strong minerality and brimming with bright fruit. While smooth and generous on the palate, it was precise, taut and focused. Long, lingering finish. • 10. 1997 Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vigneto Monte Sant'Urbano - Rich, intensely flavored showing predominantly tertiary aromas and flavors. Lots of earthy, spicy, meaty notes with hints of medicinal herbs. Smooth and long. • 11.

1988 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC Costasera - The second oldest wine tasted. While showing mainly tertiary aromas and flavors, it still retained its vibrancy and freshness. Sweet baked cherry and plum fruits prevail across the palate. Warm but balanced with a long, savory finish. • 12. 1986 Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico Recioto - Showing much more evolution both in color and aromas. Still fresh and lively it was extremely savory and leathery. Complex, rich and elegant. Lifted notes on the finish. Mary Gorman-McAdams, DWS, is a New York based wine educator, freelance writer and consultant. She holds the Diploma in Wine & Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), and is a candidate in the Master of Wine Program. Why is Amarone Wine So Expensive? | Wine Folly Advanced , Articles , Italy We get asked a lot about wines in the sub-$20 range and truthfully, we also drink wine regularly in that price range.

However, there are a few times when you want a wine that is worth the money (say, $50-80 a bottle). Amarone is one of these wines. But why? To answer this question we asked Aaron Epstein, a wine curator with a surprising wealth of knowledge in the Amarone area. Amarone Wine: The Patriarch of Valpolicella Many wine lovers know Amarone on a first name basis, though relatively few are personally acquainted. This is most likely due to the high entrance fee. Perhaps you’ve seen him lingering at the bottom of a wine list next to other recognizable stars such as Brunello di Montalcino or Barolo and wondered: What is the story on this dude? Is he worth it? Yes. Amarone is worth the minimum $50-$60 bottle price. While some wine prices are artificially inflated, there’s a practical explanation as to why Amarone is one of Italy’s top red wines. – It’s one of my favorite wine stories to tell.– To do so properly, we must begin at the end, with Amarone’s family name: Valpolicella.

Like Romeo and Juliet – it is in fair Verona where we lay our scene… 150k drunk people Every April, Verona hosts VinItaly – the world’s largest wine fair. Verona is a jewel of a city in northeastern Italy, an hour and a half due east of Venice by car. The town is home to an immaculate, picture-perfect medieval center, as well as one of the most untouched Roman amphitheaters in the world, where concerts and events are still held. Tier 3: Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Tier 4: Amarone della Valpolicella Tier 5: Recioto della Valpolicella Why is Amarone Wine so Expensive? After harvesting the grapes for ‘Tier 1’ Valpolicella Classico, they are immediately crushed and fermented. This is a light, high acid red wine; it generally sees no oak aging and provides a perfect match for the traditional local appetizers. I promise – in Verona, even horse tartar is pretty amazing when accompanied by delicious Valpolicella. By contrast, the fruit destined to become Amarone takes quite a different journey before reaching the bottle.

He is, after all, the family Patriarch – most wineries will select their older, more mature vines for this wine. Grapes are picked a bit later to ensure ripeness – usually in mid-October. Then, they are left all winter to dry into raisins. Amarone grapes (Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella) take a long time to dry out over winter. source During the roughly 120 days that this occurs, the grapes will lose 30-40% of their weight. The result is intense concentration and a very high sugar content, which in turn translates into 15% or higher alcohol levels. It also demands a premium price. You can do the math yourself: a hell of a lot more fruit goes into a bottle of Amarone than a bottle of Valpolicella. The drying process demands an investment of time and space on behalf of the winery. a 1964 Amarone tasted like figs, mexican chocolate and fine cigars What goes into Amarone Longterm aging at winery (similar to Rioja!

) Expect to spend $50-$80 How to get great Valpolicella wine for ~$20 Luckily for all of us, there’s a secret! Most Amarone producers also bottle Valpolicella Ripasso, often referred to as “Baby Amarone”. To make Ripasso, fresh Valpolicella Classico wine is mingled with leftover skins from Amarone winemaking. The resulting wine absorbs additional body and flavor, giving us a dry, medium-bodied wine with a similar complexity to Amarone at prices below $20! More than any other family of wines in Italy, the Valpolicella truly offers a perfect companion for every occasion. Regardless of the season, occasion or your budget – you’ll never go wrong. Aaron Epstein About The Author Aaron Epstein is a wine writer, curator and consultant who has been studying wine since before he could legally drink it. His love of the grape was born at a young age and has since taken him around the world to work in almost every aspect of the wine industry.

Find him at winedad.com SUBSCRIBE TO GET FRESH WEEKLY WINE STORIES Newsletter Signup Amarone wine | Italy Amarone wine Submitted by admin on Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:43 Great Wines: amarone An Italian Trip into the Amarone Wine History The Amarone is one of the best Italian red wines There are many unique aspects of Italian wine – the celebration of its indigenous grape varieties and how each region reflects a wealth of history and expertise that has been nurtured over many years, for example. But even with this rich and diverse winemaking heritage, there’s something about Amarone that sets it apart. So where do we start with Amarone? Or Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG to call it more officially. Produced in the region of Valpolicella, near the city of Verona in the north east of the country, this powerful wine is not to be confused with the other reds coming from the area. It may be made by the same estates that produce the lighter, more accessible Valpolicella DOC, but you can’t really get a wine more far-removed from a typical Valpolicella than an Amarone.

Although they both originate from the same grape varieties, the methods required to make a quality Amarone is what sets it apart from other wines local to this region. Vineyards in Valpolicella, the region of the Amarone wine. Ph. depositphotos/clodio Corvina grape, along with Rondinella and Molinara, are the main grape varieties used to produce Amarone. These are all characterized by extremely small yields, which is already a factor of distinction. However, it is the appassimento method of semi-drying carefully-selected whole bunches after the harvest, that takes Amarone into a class of its own. This was traditionally done on straw mats, but now the very best wines are made using grapes that have spent time in custom-made drying chambers under carefully controlled conditions. The process increases natural sugars' concentration in the finished product, which tastes sweeter that average wines and has also higher alcohool level (at about 15%). This rich and complex wine has great longevity and is a classic match for game and aged cuts of meat, with enough acidity and structure to cut through strong flavours and textures.

Anna Von Bertele, wine expert at Roberson Wine says that “Amarones are the perfect Winter reds. They are warming, rich and powerful with a wonderful perfume. Try them with venison, strong Italian cheeses or, my current favourite, braised short ribs!”. Risotto all'Amarone, a great first course. Ph. depositphotos/genoius2000de Every great wine of the world needs a pioneer, an innovator to set the benchmark and produce the sublime and distinct wines that are the pinnacle and essence of that particular name, and Amarone has one such producer in Romano Del Forno . Considered by some to be one of the world’s great estates, this family have been making wine in this area for four generations using remarkably small yields and an attention to detail that has resulted in consistently world-class vintages. It takes nine vines to make one bottle of their Amarone, released only ten years after the harvest and which might only hit its stride after twenty to twenty-five years in bottle. Building on years of tradition with the very best in modern winemaking techniques is something that has also characterised Tenuta Sant’Antonio .

Back in the early 1980s, when the now widely adopted practices of keeping yields small and controlling conditions were many years into the future, the four Castagnedi brothers planted their vines close together so they could compete for nutrients and use new French oak barriques for ageing. Although widely practised today, these methods helped kick start the innovation that has helped make today’s Amarone a triumph. Famous wines of the Valpolicella region are: Amarone, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Superiore and Ripasso, Recioto Ph. depositphoto/cmfotoworks Making a superb Amarone della Valpolicella takes great skill, patience and a constant drive for perfection, so as consumers of Italian wine, we should celebrate these fantastic producers that have never been tempted to rest on their laurels when it comes to the crafting of their classic offerings.

Author: Veneto: amarone, Valpolicella, Soave Wine Tour | The Wine Travel Specialist BKWine Veneto: amarone, Valpolicella, Soave Wine Tour By Britt Karlsson on November 23, 2016 in Popular Tour Destinations A wine tour to Veneto: indulge in amarone, relish Valpolicella and rediscover Soave – The focus of this wine tour is Amarone, Valpolicella, and Soave, the famous wines of Veneto. The amarones of Valpolicella have attained cult status and were recently given the much sought after DOCG status. Both amarone and “normal” Valpolicella are very popular with wine enthusiasts around the world. Soave is also one of Italy’s most interesting white wines. today it is far from the neutral wine it once was. Based in the beautiful and elegant city of Verona, with its famous Roman arena, we will visit the different wine regions in Veneto and go in depth into all these wines and the Italian gastronomy Program | Travel facts | Book | More on the tour This is a sample program, an example.

Every wine and food tour that we organise is different and specially adapted for the season and the circumstances. Details in the program, e.g. which producers we visit, will be different each time. This tour is sometimes available on our scheduled wine and food tour program: “ Our Tours > Scheduled Tours ”, or It can be designed specifically for you as a custom made private wine tour . You can print a printer-friendly version of this program, or download a PDF version, with the Print/PDF button at the bottom. Grapes drying during appassimento for amarone, copyright BKWine Photography Veneto in north-eastern Italy is one of the biggest and most active wine regions in the country. It is by far the biggest producer of the quality wines with DOC and DOCG denominations. The vineyards are mostly located around Verona, the home town of Romeo and Juliet, but the wines are in no way tragic! Especially not today when most producers have set a very high quality standard. Veneto is a very exciting wine region today. It has transformed from a land of unpretentious, easy-drinking wines to one where you find complex, full-bodied wines, often with a great potential for ageing.

This is not least the case for the great success story called Amarone della Valpolicella that has but the region on most wine lovers’ map. We will take a look at the very peculiar wine making tradition that are used to make amarone, with appassimento (drying of the grapes) and we will taste numerous amarones. It is an occasion to get a very good understanding of what amarone is and the different styles that the wineries make. View over the landscape in Valpolicella, copyright BKWine Photography Just as exciting is the quality renaissance that the “normal” wines (not made from dried grapes) have achieved. Today you find top quality wines from both Soave, Valpolicella (without “amarone”) and Bardolino as well as other neighbouring districts. Veneto is not far from Emilia Romagna that is very well known for its gastronomic specialities: the ham and the cheese. We will certainly have the opportunity to taste the delicious prosciutto di parma, the dry-cured ham from Parma, as well as other wonderful charcuteries from northern Italy, and the parmesan cheese. Or to be correct parmigiano reggiano.

It even exists in a vintage version! Parmesan cheese, pamigiano reggiano maturing in the cellar, copyright BKWine Photography Verona is not only the home town of Romeo and Juliet (there is a court yard where you can see the ill-fated balcony) but also a very wealthy and prosperous city. In the old city centre there are plenty of luxurious fashion and shoe shops. And many, many restaurants of course. Verona is a city rich in history. There is the almost intact Roman arena, famous also for its opera performances. Not very long ago they also discovered a Roman theatre that is currently being excavated. The old town with its winding streets is a gem to be discovered! We will have Verona as a base, a wonderful town with its amphitheatre, the renaissance palaces and the narrow alleys. We will have three gastronomic lunches together, mostly at wineries, as private guests of the owners. Evenings are free to discover Verona and the many cafés, bars and restaurants. We have many favourites that we will be glad to share with you. The tour is led by one of BKWine’s wine and travel expert guides.

More info We have written a lot about Veneto and about wine touring in the region, what to do and what to expect. You can also find more information on Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone etc on BKWine Magazine . A few videos from some of our visits: On our wine tour to Veneto (with Valpolicella and amarone, as well as Soave, Bardolino etc) we have lunch at the Marchesi Fumanelli (Tenuta di Squarano) winery together with the owner the marquis, and his wife. Sitting around the lunch table in the courtyard of the 15th century castle we enjoy a long Italian lunch with plenty of Italian delicacies. We start with Marchesi Fumanelli’s powerful white wine, unusual in the Valpolicella district. An excellent occasion to try out different food and wine pairings. Before lunch we had a walk in the garden and the vineyard and then a visit to the wine cellar and the amarone drying room. We are standing on the roof of the Pieropan winery, together with Andrea Pieropan, owner and winemaker, in the centre of the Soave village.

From the Pieropan winery we have a stunning view over the Soave castle, Medieval but still privately owned and inhabited. We have made a tour of the winery, including the grape drying room and cellar and will soon go to taste the wines. The wines of Soave have undergone a tremendous quality renaissance in recent years! Program – wine tour Amarone, Veneto, Valpolicella, Soave This is a sample program, an example. Every wine and food tour that we organise is different and specially adapted for the season and the circumstances. Details in the program, e.g. which producers we visit, will be different each time. For more details, contact BKWine. Program overview Wednesday / Day 1 – arrival in Verona Arrival in Verona and check-in at our centrally located comfortable three star hotel. Piazza Bra and a shopping street in Verona, copyright BKWine Photography The hotel is very close to the centre, just a few minutes walk from the Roman Arena and from Piazza Bra, and along the way there is a nice wine bar. Verona is a thriving and elegant northern Italian city.

It is filled to the brim with history and sights: the Roman Arena and theatre, the Castello by the river, the two big squares that are the hubs of the old town, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe etc. You can stroll around for hours on the narrow streets and all the time discover new things. Verona also has plenty of cafés and restaurants. It is a good idea, after having finished your aperitif, to walk a few blocks away from the Piazza delle Erbe that is really quite crowded with tourists, and look for the evening’s genuine Italian restaurant on one of the small streets. Almost wherever you go you will find something that gives you that typically Italian welcomed feeling. Evening is free: take a walk in the old city centre. The arena in Verona, copyright BKWine Photography Thursday / Day 2 – Amarone, Valpolicella, Bardolino Distances are short in Veneto so today we will have the time to go to both Valpolicella and to Bardolino.

Grapes in the vineyard, ripe, ready for harvest, copyright BKWine Photography Bardolino wines come from the hills around the eponymous town on the shore of the Lake Garda, known for its mild climate. We will visit Le Fraghe, a small, family-owned quality producer making aromatic and refreshing Bardolinos. It belongs to the Poggi family since the 1880s. It is in the hands of the charismatic Matilde Poggi since 1984 and quality has shot up in her hands. Matilde will present us with a different kind of tasting: she will show us the difference between wines that have been bottled with a “natural” cork and with a screw cap. A topic very much on today’s wine agenda. The result is really interesting, and perhaps surprising. We will also taste the full range of her wines of course. We continue to Valpolicella. The vineyards for this region is cuddling up close to Verona, sometimes on terraced hillsides. The climate is favourable not only to get ripe grapes at harvest but also to dry the grapes in autumn and winter, what is called appassimento in Italy.

This is the very unusual winemaking technique that is used to make the dry amarone and the sweet recioto. Old bottles in the wine cellar We will visit the Rubinelli Vajol winery where we will feast on a magnificent gourmet lunch presenting typical Veronese dishes, and cheese and charcuteries. Perhaps we will enjoy the incredible barbecued entrecôte, made on the garden grill. One more winery visit is on the agenda in the Valpolicella region before we head back to Verona. The evening is free. Perhaps you will take a look at the spectacular Roman arena on the Piazza Bra, just a few minutes walk from the hotel. And continue the stroll down to the Piazza delle Erbe for an aperitif and perhaps dinner by the river? The Le Fraghe vineyard in Bardolino, Veneto, Italy, copyright BKWine Photography Friday / Day 3 – Soave The old castle in Soave, copyright BKWine Photography Soave Superiore was awarded the prestigious DOCG denomination, the highest quality label in Italy, a few years ago, just like amarone. There has been a virtual explosion of quality wine-making in the region.

Perhaps you remember, just like me, Soaves from 20 years ago as rather neutral wines? Well, that is no longer the case! Soave, just like Valpolicella, has transformed itself into a region where the wineries pat all their effort into character-full and high-quality wines. We will visit some of the top estates in Soave, like the dynamic Coffele, on the main street of the small Soave village, Pieropan, just across the street, or the young and almost rebellious Stefano Menti of the Giovanni Menti winery in Gambellara, a neighbour to Soave that so far only the very well informed have discovered! For lunch we will knock on the door of the La Cappuccina winery in Costalunga di Monteforte. An exciting family property where the gastronomic menu degustazione will be prepared by one of the brothers in the family who runs one of the best restaurants in the region. The other brother is the winemaker and the sister is in charge of marketing. The Tessari family makes aromatic and elegant Soaves but are also doing some exciting experiments with sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and carmenère (!).

Late afternoon we will return to Verona and the evening is free. Perhaps it is time to try some of our favourite restaurants with Veronese specialities, or why not a visit to the city’s best pizzeria? We’ll give you our best addresses! White grapes in the vineyard ripe and ready for harvest Saturday / Day 4 – Valpolicella and amarone Today is dedicated to Valpolicella and to amarone. We will start the day with a visit at Villa Bellini, a small organic winery run by the incredibly dynamic Cecilia Trucchi. Time for an aperitif in a café, copyright BKWine Photography The winery is beautifully located on a hillside overlooking the rolling Valpolicella hills. Cecilia makes Valpolicellas that are very spicy and black cassis in aromas, with her own designs on the labels. Incredibly she also has the time to hands-on renovate the renaissance villa where we will taste her wines. For lunch we will pay a visit to the Squarano Estate that belongs to Marchesi Fumanelli.

This is a spectacular property in the middle of the Valpolicella vineyards, with a view certainly worthy of a marquis. The family has been making wine here since 1470… We will of course have time for a quick visit of the vineyards and the wine cellar, and perhaps even the appassimento grape drying attic before we sit down for a luxurious multi-course lunch accompanied by the estate’s wines. The Marchese and his wife usually makes a point of being at home when we come to visit to take us around the property and to join us for lunch. The third and last visit of the day, after lunch, will be at a small family-owned vineyard, with a very ambitious winemaker, in the beautiful Monte Fumane hills. And then it is time to say goodbye to the Valpolicella vines and go back to Verona for our last evening in this beautiful city. The evening is free in Verona. Sunday / Day 5 — Heading back home The tour ends after breakfast. Departure. Program may be subject to minor modifications.

Grapes drying on shelves for amarone during appassimento Tour Details – Wine tour to Veneto: amarone, Valpolicella, Soave Dates: This is a sample program. Look in the menu “ Our Tours > Scheduled Tours ” to check what scheduled tours are currently on the program or contact us to discuss a custom made private wine tour . Price per person: This is a sample program. Look in the menu “ Our Tours > Scheduled Tours ” to check what scheduled tours are currently on the program or contact us to discuss a custom made private wine tour . Included in the price: 4 hotel nights, double occupancy, including breakfast: Centrally located hotel in Verona Meals as described in the program above (*): 3 gastronomic multi-course lunches, including wines, at wineries or local restaurants Start and end point: Verona Bus transport during the whole trip All vineyard and winery visits Private, high quality tastings at wineries, approx. 3 per day Interpretation from Italian as needed, some visits may be in English, others in Italian Wine guiding and wine tutoring by an expert BKWine guide (*) See below for more important information on our meals.

Not included: Travel (flights) to the destination and back from your home location. You organise your travel to the destination yourself. If you want assistance with organising your flight tickets etc, please contact us. We warmly recommend that you plan a few extra days here if you have the time! It is a very interesting place and well worth some “non-wine” tourism too! We can assist you with booking additional hotel nights if you want. Book This Tour This is a sample program. Look in the menu “ Our Tours > Scheduled Tours ” to check what scheduled tours are currently on the program or contact us to discuss a custom made private wine tour .

You book by contacting Britt Karlsson, BKWine: phone: +33 1 58 88 04 66 or +33 6 80 45 35 70 (+33 is the country code for France) email: info at bkwine dot com skype: bkwine More on our wine tours v.14.04 About the wine producers and wineries we visit Sandra Tavares da Silva, owner-winemaker at Wine & Soul, copyright BKWine Photography Our aim is that you shall experience some of the best and most interesting that the wine region has to offer, both of wine and food. We put a big effort into finding and creating outstanding winery visits. Often it will not be the most “famous” and internationally well-known wineries that will give you the best and most unique experiences… It is usually when you get to meet the winemaker or winery owner himself (or often herself) that the visits become really exciting. And perhaps we even meet the whole family at the estate. You start discussing and start to understand what it is they do and why in the winery and in the vineyard.

Maybe we will also have lunch in the winery or at their home. Need we say we invariably have private wine tastings at the wineries? That is why our trips are not “jam packed” with visits at wineries. Nevertheless we often run short of time since the discussions – and the wine tastings – can easily become very engaging… Our wine country tours typically include a mix of small family producers, exclusive boutique wineries and larger internationally well-known wine estates, all selected with great care so that it will give you a unique experience of the people and of the behind-the-scenes in the winery and a good understanding of the wine district’s characteristics, tradition and culture. At the time of publishing a travel program not all visits have been finalised. We are continuously working on improving the program. The domaines / wineries / châteaux that we visit on a tour may therefore sometimes differ from what was written in the original program. Contact us if you want more details, or if you have any special requests. On meals: food and gastronomy Preparing a wine tasting and lunch Wine and food are intimately linked. That is part of our wine travel philosophy; wine is an integral part of the gastronomy.

A wine tour with BKWine will therefore also be a gastronomic experience. The meals that are included in a tour with BKWine are on a gourmet level and of very high standard. Sometimes we will have a meal with a winemaker, perhaps in the wine cellar or at the winery, or even in their home. This is a unique experience that is generally not open to other visitors to wineries. It is an occasion to experience exciting combinations of food and wine while discussing with the people who made the wine. Sometimes we will have a luxurious meal at a gourmet restaurant. At other times it may be not at a prestigious luxury address but at a local restaurant selected for its presentation of local gastronomic specialities, its atmosphere and its quality – a place where locals go. Or perhaps it will be a buffet lunch made at home by the winemaker and his wife. In all cases we want to show you local gastronomic specialities and the local food and wine pairings. Do not expect a picnic with salad and sausage from the supermarket and wine in plastic mugs… Think instead of a wine-and-dine experience with specially composed menu with three or four courses and delicious wines.

A wine tour with BKWine is also a culinary experience both for the wine enthusiast and for the gourmet. A gourmet wine tour! Why travel with BKWine? Wine slowly aging in the barrel cellar, copyright BKWine Photography We are experts and specialists in wine and food tours and wine tourism, but also in wine in a broader perspective. No other tour operator has a comparable knowledge and experience of wine, wine regions, wine tours and gourmet travel as BKWine. We have organised hundreds of wine and food tours. This is what we love to do, because it is fun and exciting. What we want more than anything is to share with you all these wonderful experiences. It does not matter if you are “a total novice” on wine and food or if you have a life-long experience in the wine sector. We will give you a very special experience, in a way that no other tour operator can do. We write in specialised wine magazines and one of our books has won the prize as best wine book in the world. We are regularly called on to be part of judging panels in wine competitions. We personally visit some 300 vineyards every year.

We have organised several hundreds of wine and food tours with an experience going back more than twenty years. We are invited as speakers at wine tourism and culinary touring conferences. We choose our tour destinations and winery visits with great care. Not because a winery happens to be carrying a “famous name” but because they will give our guests — you! — a unique and special experience. You may be looking for a short wine week-end holiday or a longer wine vacation; in all cases you can be confident that you will get a top quality tour, an experience of a lifetime. Or at least one that will last you until the next time you come on a wine tour with BKWine. Many of our travellers are returning clients. A wine and food tour with BKWine is always guided by a knowledgeable and experienced BKWine guide and tour manager, someone who knows the ins and outs of wine, of the local gastronomy, of the culture and who speaks the language.

Some accolades we at BKWine and our wine and food tours have received: “World’s Top Wine Tours” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, the world’s biggest travel magazine “Best wine tasting holidays”, AOL Travel’s list of top wine tours “Recommended Wine Tours” by Munskankarna, the world’s biggest wine tasting and wine appreciation association “World’s Best Wine Book for Professionals” as well as “Best Wine Book of the Year” in Sweden 2010 for the book The Creation of a Wine “Best wine book for Professionals” again in 2012 in Sweden, as well as silver, runner-up, as “World’s Best Educational Wine Book” for the book Wine and the Environment “Wine Personality of the Year” by Munskankarna, the world’s biggest wine tasting and wine appreciation association On the Wine Media Power List by Wine Business International Magazine (Britt, 2012) Read more on what previous travellers have said about our tours . Important information Our groups are always small. The group size may vary, sometimes maximum 8, sometimes 20, but always of a modest size (we do not do “minimum 20, maximum 45”).

Check the details in each program. This is important since it guarantees a quality experience and a personal welcome at the wineries we visit. BKWine is a Swedish registered travel organiser. BKWine has a bonded travel guarantee deposit so that you can feel safe when booking with us. We fully comply with European and Swedish travel guarantee regulations. British travellers may be familiar with the ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) protection scheme which is a similar model. BKWine follows the code of conduct and financial safeguards defined by the Swedish Consumer Agency and The Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (“Kammarkollegiet”, with a history dating back to 1539). Read more about this in our Booking Terms and Conditions. Read the BKWine Booking Terms and Conditions here . They are important to you! You organise your travel independently to the destination for most of our tours but on location we take care of everything. For more inspiration Read our wine travel blog . And also: Recommend this trip to a friend using the Share/Save (add-to-any) button below!

Amarone Wine Tours » VIP visits to Top Valpolicella Wineries » CellarTours more photos Valpolicella is one of the loveliest wine regions in Italy and home to the famed Amarone wines. Located just northwest of the historic city of Verona and east of Lake Garda, Valpolicella is surprisingly untouched by tourists and offers a treasure trove of wine hamlets and architectural gems for foodies and culture vultures. Apart from expansive vineyards, the region is home to acres and acres of cherry trees, peaches and apricots, and in season the scenery is delightful. Fine wine has been produced here since Roman times (Verona was a major hub in Ancient Roman civilization, home to a spectacular amphitheatre which has survived millennia) and indeed the name is of ancient origin- Valpolicella comes from “Vallis Polis Cellae” which means “valley of many cellars”. This one-day Wine Tour of the Valpolicella vineyards can begin in Verona or Lake Garda, or even Venice (although Prosecco is a closer day trip to Venice).

The tour is with your own private chauffeur and takes in two contrasting wineries, which could include Allegrini , Villa Monteleone, Ca Rugate, among many other high-end small estates. You will visit the cellars and vineyards and learn about the fascinating heavy work intensive production of the Amarone wines, as well as the sweeter Reciotos. Indulge in a leisurely four course Italian lunch, paired with various local wines, and in the afternoon on the way back to Verona, stop to stretch your legs in a picturesque hamlet. This is a fantastic full day wine tour for guests looking for special VIP treatment and an introduction to some of the best Amarone wines in the Valpolicella. Tours Highlights: Sample Amarone Wine Tour (Valpolicella) Itinerary Fine Amarone Wine Estate Allegrini In the AM, your own private chauffeured Mercedes will collect you from your Verona hotel and sweep you away to the lovely Valpolicella wine country. First stop is to a top wine producer such as Allegrini in Fumane di Valpolicella. Enjoy a VIP visit and tasting of their superb wines such as the cult La Poja wine.

Lunch will follow and is an authentic and charming affair, with typical dishes such as “Sformatino di formaggio Monte Veronese con funghi e speck d'anatra” (Cheese savory custard with mushrooms and cured duck), Risotto all'Amarone, Brasato di manzo all' Amarone con polenta (beef slow cooked in wine, served over polenta), all paired with Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Amarone of course and Recioto della Valpolicella. Stunning regional cuisine and you won´t be hungry for dinner tonight! After lunch visit a boutique estate such as Villa Monteleone in Gargagnago, also famous for being the home of Dante Alighieri, Italy's most famous poet and playwright. The property houses a small winery, with a charming garden and pretty tasting room in the house. In this very cozy atmosphere, you´ll taste signature wines like the Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Amarone, Recioto, Amarone “Riserva” all served with some local cheeses.

On the way back to Verona, depending on your interests, we can arrange a nice place to stop off and take in a walk, get some photos, etc. After visit head back to Verona, hope you had a marvelous day. “A VIP Deluxe Wine Tasting Experience!” Customer Testimonial: “The tour was very well organized and went off without any problems. It was very smooth and professional. Both wineries were beautiful and interesting, and different. I'm glad we only did two and had a driver - the amount of wine given was quite generous and it would have been hard to drink much more wine! Would recommend this tour.” John Holloway, Philadelphia- Valpolicella Day Excursion from Venice Whats's Included Luxury Transportation to and from Verona with English speaking Chauffeur (Mercedes/ Deluxe Minivan) for the full day Private Wine Guide for the day VIP Winery Visits to 2 top name estates Traditional Lunch at fabulous Trattoria in Wine Country Cellar Tours Wine Gift All Local Taxes Prices: This is a SAMPLE TOUR ITINERARY.

Please note that our private chauffeured luxury tours are totally customized to your needs and price varies according to the number of people in your group (please note tours require minimum 2 guests), specific suppliers included, number of services included,specific dates, transport type etc. Contact us today for more information and we would be delighted to get started on a tailor made detailed itinerary with pricing for you. Our tours are all chauffeured, VIP and with luxury transport- please observe ballpark pricing above. inal price depends on selection of specific suppliers, and if an accompanying guide joins you with the driver or if tour is with driver only. Feel free to contact us with your group size (minimum 2 guests, no maximum group size), travel dates and preferences and we will send you custom pricing. Discounts available for larger groups Please note that our tours are available upon demand for PRIVATE GROUPS and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups. More Information: All of our tours are available year round upon request for your private group of minimum 2 people. We organize unforgettable packages in Italy that include wine and adventure touring. If you would like us to customize a private high-end tour of Italy for you For Your Personalized Quote!

2006 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - SKU : 2006 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico SKU #1215822 94 points Wine Spectator Beautifully balanced, this elegant red features a skein of aromatic spice unraveling through the cherry compote, smoky espresso, fig cake and loamy earth flavors, layered with silky tannins in a harmonious frame. The mouthwatering finish echoes notes of brambly berry and forest floor. Drink now through 2030. 110 cases imported. (AN) (10/2016) K&L Notes "It's great to see Quintarelli back on track after a series of challenging events, including the passing of Giuseppe Quintarelli and his wife in rapid succession," writes Antonio Gallin, in Vinous. "Today, Quintarelli's grandson Francesco, appears to have the estate under firm control. The construction of a new, modern cellar is a sign of investment in the future, which is of course great to see.

As for the wines, well, they have no peers. Once readers acquire a taste for these heady wines there is no turning back. It's as simple as that." Mr. Galloni did not review this wine, however--as the 2004 Amarone was released as recently as 2014. He scored it 96 points (March, 2015). Quintarelli pioneered the modern style of Amarone, the more seductive, exotic, spicy style that has revolutionized the region. There is a reason his wines are among the most expensive and hard to get in Italy. Italian Amarone | Regional Wine Style Veneto Description Amarone della Valpolicella is a rich, dry Italian red wine from the Veneto region. It is produced primarily from the Corvina grape. Amarone is characterized by ripe, bold flavors. Directly after harvest, the grapes are air dried through a process called “appassimento”, which allows them to shrivel into raisins. This concentrates the sugar and flavors in the grapes, producing a distinctive and full-bodied wine well-suited to aging. It is often said that you can safely forget an Amarone in your wine cellar.

Even average Amarones can be aged for 10-15 years. Depending on the vintage and aging technique, wines of exceptional quality can be enjoyed up to 30-50 years after bottling! In wine, time equals money. The aging process, manual labor, and prime grape-growing real estate mean that Amarone is often quite expensive. Bottles of this iconic wine generally start at $50-$60, but the sky's the limit when it comes to price. Despite its iconic status, Amarone only received DOCG recognition as recently as 2009. Amarone is best paired with very rich foods, due to its strong flavor profile, robust nature, and high alcohol (minimum 14% abv). Your opinion South African Pinotage Spanish Ribera Del Duero Red Californian Zinfandel Italian Ripasso Sardinian Cannonau Mexican Zinfandel Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon Mexican Nebbiolo Description Amarone della Valpolicella is a rich, dry Italian red wine from the Veneto region. It is produced primarily from the Corvina grape. Amarone is characterized by ripe, bold flavors.

Directly after harvest, the grapes are air dried through a process called “appassimento”, which allows them to shrivel into raisins. This concentrates the sugar and flavors in the grapes, producing a distinctive and full-bodied wine well-suited to aging. It is often said that you can safely forget an Amarone in your wine cellar. Even average Amarones can be aged for 10-15 years. Depending on the vintage and aging technique, wines of exceptional quality can be enjoyed up to 30-50 years after bottling! In wine, time equals money. The aging process, manual labor, and prime grape-growing real estate mean that Amarone is often quite expensive. Bottles of this iconic wine generally start at $50-$60, but the sky's the limit when it comes to price. Despite its iconic status, Amarone only received DOCG recognition as recently as 2009. Amarone is best paired with very rich foods, due to its strong flavor profile, robust nature, and high alcohol (minimum 14% abv). Interesting facts Due to the drying process, Amarone requires at least double the amount of grapes to produce a single bottle of wine.

Amarone was invented by accident in the early 20th century when a barrel of sweet Recioto wine was accidentally left to ferment too long. “Amarone” translates to “the great bitter” in Italian, which references the wine's mistaken origin from a sweet wine. After production, many winemakers use the grape skins to add depth of flavor to standard Valpolicella wines, creating Valpolicella Ripasso. The drying process was traditionally done on straw mats. However, it is often more tightly controlled to reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal infection.

Question: Amarone is one of the great wines of which country?
Answer: Italy