Amarone della Valpolicella (2021)

About this wine

This Amarone opens with intense aromas of ripe red cherry, dark plum and black cherry, layered with notes of mocha, cocoa and sweet baking spice. On the palate it is full bodied, warm and velvety, with concentrated flavors of black cherry, dried plum and a touch of bitter chocolate that give depth without feeling heavy. Fine, supple tannins glide across the tongue and the generous alcohol is balanced by a fresh line of acidity that keeps the wine lively. The grapes, Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, are picked by hand and left to dry in crates over the winter months before a gentle pressing and slow fermentation on the skins, which helps build the wine’s rich texture and intensity. Maturation for about eighteen months in oak barrels adds subtle notes of spice and a hint of vanilla, while preserving the vivid fruit. The wine comes from the oldest part of the Valpolicella hills, and it is bottled in Montresor’s distinctive satin finished bottle, a design first patented in 1921 to protect the wine from light on long journeys.

About the grape

Corvina is an ancient native grape of the Veneto that has long been the backbone of Valpolicella wines, and in this Amarone it is typically the dominant component providing the small thick skinned berries that handle the traditional appassimento grape drying process well. Corvinone was once thought to be a clone of Corvina but is now recognized as a separate local variety, and producers like Montresor use it in Amarone for its larger berries that also dry effectively and for the extra color and structure it brings to the blend. Rondinella is another indigenous Veronese grape, historically documented in the region and prized by growers for its disease resistance and reliable yields, and in this wine it plays a supporting role because its firm skins and healthy bunches make it particularly suitable for long drying in the fruttai or drying lofts. Together these three grapes are grown on the hills around Verona on well drained often chalky clay soils and are harvested by hand so whole bunches can be laid out to dry for several months before being pressed and fermented for Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella 2021.

Quick facts

• 🍾 The bottle of Amarone della Valpolicella Montresor has a patented satin finish created in 1921 so the wine would be protected from light during long ocean voyages to North America
• 🍇 For this Amarone the grapes are harvested very late around the end of October then rest in airy lofts all winter where they shrivel like raisins and can lose almost half of their weight before being pressed
• 😲 Amarone was born from a happy cellar accident when a sweet recioto wine was forgotten and fermented to dryness so Montresor is making a style that literally began as a wine that escaped its original destiny
• 🛰️ Montresor is a historic Verona winery founded in 1892 yet it monitors the vineyards for this Amarone using satellite technology a mix of old family tradition and space age precision
• 🌍 This Montresor Amarone from the I Satinati line in its instantly recognizable frosted bottle has become a liquid postcard from Verona reaching wine lovers in more than fifty countries around the world

Palate profile

Producer

Cantine Giacomo Montresor, established in 1892 by Giacomo Montresor, is a historic winery located in Verona, Italy. The Montresor family's winemaking heritage dates back to the 17th century, when they moved from France to the Veneto region near Lake Garda. In the early 20th century, the winery innovated by introducing the satin-finished bottle, designed to protect wine during long overseas shipments. In 2022, Montresor celebrated its 130th anniversary by inaugurating a Wine Museum, offering visitors an immersive experience into the winery's rich history and the Valpolicella region.