Masi LEVARIE Soave Classico

Masi COLBARACA Soave Classico Superiore Veneto from Italy, Veneto, Soave by Masi Fruity Dry Whites (6 x 75 cl)

Masi BONACOSTA Valpolicella Classico from Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella Classico by Masi Light & Fruity Reds (12 x 75 cl)

Masi FRESCARIPA Bardolino Classico Veneto from Italy, Veneto, Bardolino by Masi Light & Fruity Reds (12 x 75 cl)

The term "recioto" probably comes from the dialect word "recia" which means the upper and outer parts of the bunches of grapes. These "recie" are the grapes which are ripest and which enjoy the best exposure to the sun. The word "recia" may be derived from the Latin word "racemus" which means bunch. Our opinion is that the word comes from the Latin "recisus" that means a bunch cutted and let down to dry. Recioto is the standard (6 x 75 cl)

Masi COSTASERA Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Veneto from Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella by Masi Powerful Reds (6 x 75 cl)

DESCRIPTION OF THE WINE Campolongo di Torbe is the most elegant of Masi’s Amarone crus. It is characterized by a rounded almondy flavour and by great intensity and balance. The choice of this vineyard is based not only on many years of technical experimentation at the Masi winery, but also on a very important historical document that indicates Mazzano and Torbe vineyards as the best in the valley for the production of this high-quality wine. In fact, with a contract dated 1194 , the monks of San Zeno Monastery, landowners of the entire Negrar Valley, leased the land to a certain Musio di Panego for a period of 29 years. The rent had to be paid with a certain quantity of grapes produced in the best area of the fiefdom, indicated as the Mazzano vineyards. If the vineyards yielded a poor crop because of hail, or other reasons, grapes had to be harvested at Capavo. This denomination is no longer in use but it corresponds to the upper hillside area of Torbe, where the vineyards of Campolongo di Torbe are now located. (6 x 75 cl)

DESCRIPTION OF THE WINE The choice of these vineyards is based not only on many years of technical experimentation at the Masi winery, but also on a very important historical document that indicates the Mazzano and Torbe vineyards as the best in the Negrar valley for the production of Amarone. In fact, in a contract dated 1194 , the monks of San Zeno Monastery, landowners of the entire Negrar Valley, leased the land to a certain Musio di Panego for a period of 29 years, and the rent had to be paid with a certain quantity of grapes produced in the best area of the fiefdom, indicated as the Mazzano vineyards. If the vineyards had yielded a poor crop because of hail, or for any other reason, the contract stipulated that grapes had to be harvested at Capavo.This denomination is no longer in use but it corresponds to the upper hillside area of Torbe, where we now find the Campolongo di Torbe vineyards. Mazzano was described by Sheldon and Pauline Wasserman as the Amarone which “sets the standard by which we judge the others” and Jancis Robinson in her “Vintage Timecharts” evaluated this wine as one of only four Italian wines to be included in the best 46 wines of the world. Mazzano is an austere and majestic wine, a true Amarone designed from its conception to be a great red wine and not just a lesser, drier style of Recioto. Mazzano is among the very few Amarones which can benefit from aging in small barrels. (6 x 75 cl)

The wine has a bright pale straw colour with golden reflections. The complex and appealing bouquet shows fresh notes of white fruit and citrus, as well as warmer aromas of apricot, honey and dried figs. On the palate it is full, overwhelming and smooth, with a delicate vanilla note on the finish. (6 x 75 cl)

TASTING NOTES AND SERVING SUGGESTIONS The wine’s colour is a deep ruby red. It offers an intense bouquet with notes of aromatic herbs, tobacco, liquorice and spices, along with ripe stewed cherry fruit. In the mouth, it is rich in body and structure, with an inviting roundness on the front palate and flavours of plums and cherries. It is dry and austere, with a long finish marked by attractive hints of bitter cherries. Ideal with red meats or strongly flavoured cheeses, or drunk just on its own after a meal. Serve at 18°C in large glasses. (6 x 75 cl)