A Valentine's in Verona: love, amarone, chocolate, fireplace.

In Verona, one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year for lovers from all around the world is being prepared: Verona in Love will transform the Shakespearean city of Juliet and Romeo into an open-air theater filled with red hearts and purple roses. Piazza dei Signori will host a heart of stalls with all the products dedicated to love. Music, theater, exhibitions, and the enchantment of Juliet's courtyard will open the heart of the city to all visitors.

From February 11 to 14, the event will occupy the entire historic center of Verona, and the slogan of the event is unequivocal: “If you love someone, take them to Verona.” We at Spaghetti & Mandolino are from Verona, and we have transformed the legacy of Juliet and Romeo into a love for traditional Italian products and for all the women and men behind these gourmet works of art.

On this sweet occasion, we thought of our finest product in a decidedly romantic context. And what could be more romantic than a silent and warm embrace in front of the crackling wood burning in a fireplace, sipping a seductive and intriguing wine that delights the spirit and invigorates the mind? Yes, we are talking about the Amarone, one of those wines that we can rightly define as “for the fireplace.” Some call it “for meditation,” but on the occasion of the lovers' feast, we see it in its most passionate version.

We recommend enjoying it with a bite of Modica chocolate and perhaps, given the occasion, let's spice things up a bit and choose the Modican version with chili pepper. Amarone is not sweet, nor is it completely bitter; it’s a bit of a parody of love: powerful, passionate, intriguing, and gentle, candid and uncompromising. Let’s indulge in the slow burn of the pleasure of a meeting: Amarone is undoubtedly a good travel companion.

Sip it between a kiss and a caress and let yourself be carried away by the emphasis of a well-structured wine that reveals all its intriguing pleasantness. Sure, friends, we’ve played around a bit, but not entirely! In the end, it’s good to remember that with fire, a fireplace, passion, and a vibrant glass of Amarone wrapped in the sweet seduction of good chocolate… well, we leave it to your imagination… you never know where it might lead!

Our wish to all you lovers is that whatever your February 14th may be, it is the most tender and unexpected. Everything you have always dreamed of! Happy Valentine's Day!

Bernardo Pasquali