Amarone Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOC Classico Superiore

Bertani’s impact on Veneto wine making, particularly in Amarone production, is so considerable that ‘Bertani’ and ‘Amarone’ are nearly synonymous. Their 150+ year history is dotted with groundbreaking initiatives and royal accreditation. While respectful of their past, Bertani strives towards innovation, using progressive techniques and equipment allied with extensive experience and a deeply felt respect for tradition to provide wines of uncompromising quality. The original name of Bertani's Amarone Classico was Amarone Recioto della Valpolicella DOC Classico Superiore until the 1991 vintage.

The grapes come from the Tenuta Novare vineyards at Arbizzano di Negrar, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica area. Their 550 acre vineyards are covered with calcareous-marl soils and are devoted exclusively to the production of Amarone. The vines are vertical-trellised and Guyot trained, with a planting density of 2,025 vines per acre. 1980 had a warm July and August. This resulted in a small but high quality harvest. This wine is classified as "Exuberance."

After careful bunch selection, the grapes are taken to drying lofts and laid in a single layer on arèle -- bamboo racks. They remain here for about 120 days, losing up to 60% of their water content. In mid-January the grapes are destemmed and crushed. Maceration at 40°F for about 20 days, then a slow fermentation starts – about 30 days in concrete vats at a maximum temperature of 64°F. The wine was aged in large Slavonian oak barrels, with an average capacity of 60 hl, for about seven years, followed by bottle maturation for at least 12 months.

A meaty, gamey rich nose. A round, rich, full palate -- fruit envelopes all corners of the mouth. Powerful tannins and a meaty finish. Big, exuberant wine which will benefit from additional years of aging.