Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico represents modern winemaking at its best and embodies Franco Allegrini’s long-expressed goal of combining purity with balance and the traditional power and intensity of Amarone. The wine is a wonderful fusion of concentrated dried cherry fruit and fine, spicy, toasty oak. It has great structure, complexity and elegance yet remains intense and powerful through to the end, with a hint of spiced sour cherries on the finish. Grapes for the Amarone are hand harvested during the second half of September and are allowed to dry naturally for about 100 days at ‘Terre di Fumane’, a state of the art drying centre where both temperature and humidity are controlled. By drying the grapes under these conditions, the development of botrytis is avoided, and the integrity of the fruit is preserved. During the drying period the grapes lose 45% of their original weight. Allegrini’s modern approach ensures that the volatility which often characterises lesser Amarone is never found in his. The quality of all the wines Allegrini produce from their 70 hectares of vineyard is impeccable. They have fruit, balance, intensity, length, elegance, tipicity and, above all, drinkability. In short, they are among the elite of the world’s best producers of red wines. The price of grapes for Amarone has shot up dramatically in the past few years due to demand far outstripping supply. As a result, we're now beginning to see these grape prices being reflected by higher prices for Amarone. We feel though that Allegrini’s Amarone still remains excellent value for a truly world class wine. (6 x 1.5 Litres)

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico represents modern winemaking at its best and embodies Franco Allegrini’s long-expressed goal of combining purity with balance and the traditional power and intensity of Amarone. The wine is a wonderful fusion of concentrated dried cherry fruit and fine, spicy, toasty oak. It has great structure, complexity and elegance yet remains intense and powerful through to the end, with a hint of spiced sour cherries on the finish. Grapes for the Amarone are hand harvested during the second half of September and are allowed to dry naturally for about 100 days at ‘Terre di Fumane’, a state of the art drying centre where both temperature and humidity are controlled. By drying the grapes under these conditions, the development of botrytis is avoided, and the integrity of the fruit is preserved. During the drying period the grapes lose 45% of their original weight. Allegrini’s modern approach ensures that the volatility which often characterises lesser Amarone is never found in his. The quality of all the wines Allegrini produce from their 70 hectares of vineyard is impeccable. They have fruit, balance, intensity, length, elegance, tipicity and, above all, drinkability. In short, they are among the elite of the world’s best producers of red wines. The price of grapes for Amarone has shot up dramatically in the past few years due to demand far outstripping supply. As a result, we're now beginning to see these grape prices being reflected by higher prices for Amarone. We feel though that Allegrini’s Amarone still remains excellent value for a truly world class wine. (6 x 75 cl)

The Amarone Classico della Valpolicella is a blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. The fruit sourced for this wine was taken from vineyards located on hills in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area. The grapes were dried for 100 days prior to pressing giving a great intensity of flavour. The wine is deep and intense, with damsons, plums and hints of chocolate on the nose. The palate is concentrated with figs, prunes and some cherries. It is warming with and rich on the finish with Christmas spice and dried fruit. (6 x 75 cl)

Tommasi Viticoltori Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC from Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella Classico by Tommasi Viticoltori Pedemonte di Valpolicella (6 x 75 cl)

Seven gentlemen, on august 23, 1933, set an appointment in the offices of Francesco Betteloni, notary public, to sign the deed giving birth to the Cantina Sociale Valpolicella. Today, the Cantina Valpolicella directs and coordinates the production of approximately 200 grape-growers with vineyards covering a total of 450 hectares. All these are located in the classic Valpolicella hillside zone. All have the same dedication and passion as the original founders. They work together and in their mutual interests to turn member producer's grapes into high quality wines, performing activities that improve winemaking and grape-growing knowledge and culture. The vineyards are situated on about 450 hectares in the classical Valpolicella Hills area Northwest of Verona, which are mostly concentrated in the town of Negrar. The most used system of cultivation is the traditional Pergola system, with about 2,500-3,000 plants per hectare, while the average age of the vines is 20 years. The cultivation of the vineyard has among its primary objectives the maximum possible degree of respect for nature: for this reason, biological techniques are used, and pesticides are used as little as possible. The harvest is done entirely by hand, with many selections for special wines, such as the Amarone, produced from single vineyards to exalt its characteristics. It is a blend of 70% Corvina, 15% Corvinone and 15% Rondinella while the blend is left in both in 225 liter barriques made of French Allier and Never oak and in 50 hl barrels for 18 months. Refinement continues in the bottle for 12 months. A fantastic wine with a garnet red dense and compact colour, the bouquet is strong and persistent, ethereal and fruity with hint of black cherries and dry prunes. The palate is well structured, smooth with velvety tannin. (6 x 75 cl)

The quality of this Valpolicella Classico shows just how rare producers like Allegrini are, as to produce this sort of quality consistently and at such a reasonable price is a remarkable feat. Made primarily from Corvina and Rondinella, the wine has superb colour, an attractive perfume of black cherries and a liveliness of fruit that is seldom evident in these wines. This is easily the best Valpolicella that Franco Allegrini has made in several years, thanks in part to the quality of fruit obtained in this vintage, but also to an intentional move back on Franco’s part to a wine with a bit more acidity on the finish, something that gives it a freshness and aromatic lift. (12 x 37.5 cl)

Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Veneto from Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella Classico by Speri Light & Fruity Reds (12 x 75 cl)

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

Produced in extremely limited quantities only in the best years from a selection of the best red grapes of Valpolicella. Its dark ruby red colour, ethereal bouquet and full-bodied velvety taste make it quite unmistakable. Intense structure to be tasted in religious meditation and on very special occasions. The Lenotti vineyard was founded in 1906 on the banks of Lake Garda in the heart of the hilly area of Bardolino. The area is particularly well suited to the growing of vines with its situation wich has no extremes of weather. From its 100 plus ha of specialised vineyards, Lenotti produce a wide range of regional wines and pride themselves on the quality of their products. (6 x 75 cl)