Amarone della Valpolicella, wine symbol of love in a glass.

Simply search for this keyword on Google, “the wine of lovers”: you will find it, the Amarone della Valpolicella! Perhaps you would have thought of something simpler and sweeter. I don't know, maybe a Prosecco, a Champagne, or even a charming rosé, a sweet and velvety moscato rosa from Alto Adige. But no: the intriguing pleasantness of this nectar from a blend of native dried grapes from Valpolicella becomes the true symbol of love in a glass.

Amarone della Valpolicella: the wine of lovers

The Amarone is a wine that is increasingly loved by women at the table and, as we know, in the end, it is they who create the market for luxury wine. Also because: I dare any guy to not please his partner or wife, right at the table, perhaps during a date! Apart from everything, Amarone della Valpolicella still remains the great driving force of Italian agri-food, not only in the wine sector, with a growth trend that seems never-ending. Now it is the Asian markets that decree a new spring, and the female universe has crowned it as the preferred red wine.

Is it its seductive charm, the soft richness that ends dry and fragrant with crunchy almond? Is it that decisive alcohol that sinks into the depth of tannin and spicy notes? A cherry-like wine that underlies hints of chocolate and caramel, sometimes even too evident. But, if you think about it, these are all characteristics that today represent decisive elements for the definition of pleasantness and the choice of a wine.

Finally, thanks also to a constant communication campaign, Amarone della Valpolicella is increasingly crowned as the wine by the fireplace, the “coup de grace” that reconciles caresses and cuddles. Is it true? Well, let's try! More than for meditation, therefore, a wine of “action”. Especially for Valentine's Day.

Our selection of Amarone della Valpolicella

We at Spaghetti & Mandolino guide you through our selection. A path through valleys and vineyards from the historical classic area of Valpolicella to the most eastern valleys. Yes, because you must know that not all Amarone are the same and the difference is not made by the price but by the land on which the vines stand and the passion that women and men dedicate every year to the life of the grape. Yes, my dear ones, Amarone is a wine whose grapes must be cared for like few others: hand-picked, cleaned, and sorted with scissors to remove anything that is not perfect; then laid in small boxes, the grapes are placed next to each other without ever overlapping, and there they are left to rest and dry for at least three months, in the cool breezes of the higher mountains.

Let's start from the Fumane valley and focus on a biological production winery run by a very promising young winemaker: Le Bertarole. This company represents the authentic expression of the beautiful adventure of Marco and Giordano. An Amarone, the cru Le Marognole, which will win you over with its pleasant naturalness, without frills, simply representative of a territory and a distant winemaking tradition. The cherry that emerges from the tasting is beautiful, with a particular spicy aroma of black pepper. An effusion of fruit in jam and under spirits with very elegant and fine tertiary elements. Don't miss out on the delicious Podere Cariano, essential where simplicity rhymes with authenticity.

Let's move along the eastern slope of the Fumane Valley, particularly the fiery moraine characterized by tuff from the ancient lava ejected from the small underwater volcano now known as Monte Castelòn. The vineyard of Monte Sant’Urbano is one of the most appreciated and sought-after crus by all the great lovers and experts of Amarone in the world. The Speri family produces it with great wisdom, trying to respect as much as possible the characteristics dictated by the soil and the unique microclimate of this hillside. An enveloping product, of great finesse and elegance, with a crunchy red cherry that spreads into hints of dark chocolate and intriguing smoky elements from flint. The essence of an authentic Valpolicella where man manages to tame the land and the vineyard.

Let's move into the Negrar valley and, in particular, slightly ascend the eastern slope in the Villa district. Here we find an ancient residence from 1550 that still accompanies those who travel the ancient Strada Campiona, which rises over the ridge and finds itself in the Pantena Valley. The winery is brand new, called Nepos Villae, taking its name from the founder who dedicates his properties to his “nepos,” his grandson. Today it is in the hands of the Ruffo family from Verona and its umpteenth grandson, the young Francesco, in love with his homeland. Here stands a beautiful vineyard resting against the stones of the marogne. A field that gives its name to the Amarone Campo di Villa. Great depth and pleasantness, distinctly spicy, rich in forest fruit, blackberries, and blueberries. A beautiful consistency and enveloping tannin. Great balance and finesse of aromas.

Let's then move to the eastern valleys of Valpolicella, and particularly to the Marcellise valley, where the Amarone Terre d’Orti of the Cavalchina company from the Piona family is born. These are stony lands, pearly white from exposed fossil marl. Rich in schists and stones that cover the roots of the vine. They offer powerful wines, of great emotional impact and decidedly rich in fruit in jam. A straightforward tannic presence that evolves into an elegant black spice of pepper.

Still in eastern Valpolicella, the winery of Marco Mosconi, a young surveyor who left construction ambitions to grow his vineyard among the deep marls of the hills surrounding the Illasi Valley and the stones of the ancient Progno stream. His wines are characterized by great character and elegance, with a pleasantness that evolves significantly over time. His Amarone is an effusion of mixed fruit with spices, with a tannic presence softened by a beautiful smoothness and a dry finish of crunchy almond.

Finally, a great Amarone from a great interpreter of the Illasi Valley: Flavio Prà from the Azienda Agricola I Campi, who has in his Campo Marna 500 one of the greatest Amarone produced today in the denomination. An enchanting journey among heroic vineyards at about 600 meters above sea level, where structural power rhymes with elegance and balance among fruit, spices, aromatic herbs, and pleasant notes of tobacco and bitter cocoa. A force that gives chills and leaves one with closed eyes. A captivating and unique wine of its kind, endowed with expressive strength and gentleness of fruit. A timeless oenological work.

Bernardo Pasquali