Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (1962)

About this wine

The 1962 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico presents a deep garnet color with brick-red hues, reflecting its extensive aging. On the nose, it offers aromas of medlar, dried fruit, plum, tobacco, and dried figs. The palate is warm and enveloping, featuring flavors of medlar and almond, with soft tannins and low acidity compared to other vintages. This wine is a testament to Bertani's traditional winemaking methods, including drying grapes on bamboo racks for 120 days and aging in large Slavonian oak barrels for seven years. Its remarkable longevity and complexity make it a standout example of Amarone from the Valpolicella region.

About the grape

Corvina Veronese and Rondinella are two grape varieties native to Italy's Veneto region, particularly the Valpolicella area. Corvina Veronese is known for its thick skins and high acidity, making it ideal for the drying process used in Amarone production. Rondinella, a genetic offspring of Corvina, is valued for its resistance to diseases and its ability to accumulate sugars, which enhances the wine's body and flavor. In the 1962 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, these grapes were carefully dried for about 120 days, concentrating their flavors before fermentation, a traditional method that contributes to the wine's rich and complex profile.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The 1962 vintage of Bertani's Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is renowned for its remarkable longevity, with some bottles still offering a complex tasting experience over 60 years later.
• 🍇 Bertani's Amarone is crafted using the traditional 'appassimento' method, where grapes are dried for about 120 days, concentrating their flavors and sugars.
• 🛢️ The 1962 Bertani Amarone was aged for seven years in large Slavonian oak barrels, followed by at least one year of bottle maturation, contributing to its depth and complexity.
• 🏞️ Bertani's Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is produced exclusively from grapes grown in the Tenuta Novare vineyards, located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica area, known for its calcareous-marl soils.
• 🍇 The 1962 vintage of Bertani's Amarone is composed of 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella grapes, a blend that contributes to its rich and complex flavor profile.

Palate profile

Producer

Bertani Winery, established in 1857 by brothers Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani in Quinto di Valpantena, Italy, is renowned for its pioneering contributions to Italian winemaking. Gaetano, having studied under French viticulturist Jules Guyot, introduced innovative techniques that elevated the quality of their wines. In 1958, Bertani produced its first Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, a style that has since become emblematic of the region. The winery's commitment to excellence was recognized in 2023 when it was named Winery of the Year by Gambero Rosso.