The story of a great red, between history and tastings • Food and wine Italy

June 4, the Roman aquarium turned into an unpublished veneto wine living room. The occasion was Amarone durante capital, the Roman stage of the tour promoted by the Valpolicella Vini Consortium to tell one of the best known and structured reds durante Italy. Anzi che no red carpet, but Calici durante hand and questions to the producers: an afternoon dedicated to deepening, with free tastings and combinations with Parmigiano Reggiano Dop, who attracted fans and curious. To guide the sensory path, eleven companies from Valpolicella – from historical names such as Easter Vini and Rubinelli Vajol, to younger realities such as Flatío – each with their own way of interpreting Amarone, between tradition, long expectations durante the cellar and small experiments.

The Amarone della Valpolicella: an error that has become legend

Known and appreciated all over the world, wine was born from a unique production process. It is obtained from the autochthonous rails Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, collected between September and October durante the Valpolicella vineyards, a hilly luogo north of Verona, renowned for its wine tradition. The real peculiarity of Amarone lies durante the teasing technique: the grapes are not vinified immediately after the harvest, but leave to dry for 3-4 months wrapping durante cassettes, durante well-ventilated environments. During this period the berries are dehydrated by concentrating sugars, aromas and structure. Only durante January the vinification begins, followed by a long and patient fermentation. The aging durante wood lasts at least two years – four for the reserve version – to give wine complexity, depth and aging capacity to wine. The result is a great dry, intense and charismatic red, capable of expressing power and elegance together.

Perhaps not everyone knows that the birth of Amarone is linked to a curious episode. It is said that, durante the 1930s, a cellar forgotten a barrel of Recioto, the traditional sweet wine durante the luogo, leaving it completely ferment. The result was a dry and bitter wine that, at the first taste, left him surprised: “This is not bitter, it is Amarone!”, He would have exclaimed, unaware of having given rise to an wine legend.

Since then, Amarone has conquered palates all over the world, including that of Dustin Hoffman. During a dinner durante Verona, the Hollywood actor, after having tasted a chalice, seems to have commented with pungent irony: “This wine has more character of certain actors I know”. A joke that contains the identity of this extraordinary wine. Italian also elected him ideal companion: it is said that Marcello Mastroianni considered him “the perfect wine to ricevimento durante silence”, ideal for concluding an intense day. During the filming of La Piacevole Persona, to the famous Café de Paris durante varco Veneto, a bottle of Amarone was always ready durante the back of the società, reserved for artists durante search of quiet and inspiration.

Centro the reserve: the Masterclass Ais Lazio

The highlight of the evening was the masterclass “Amarone Reserve: time and ideas that shape excellence”, curated by Ais Lazio. Dedicated to the most ambitious and long -lived version of wine, the reserve, the congresso highlighted the importance of time as an ally durante the creation of bottles capable of telling the identity of each vintage. Four labels selected for guided tasting, an expression of different styles and philosophies.

Flatío – Amarone della Valpolicella Esemplare Reserve DOCG “Mario” 2015

Young reality of Valpolicella Classica, Flatío was born with the aim of combining respect for tradition and experimental spirit. The “Mario” 2015 reserve affects intense aromas of plum and blueberry, and a structured and balsamic sip, fresh and deep.

Rubinelli Vajol – Amarone della Valpolicella Esemplare Reserve DOCG “Destinée” 2011

Historical family -run company, with vineyards durante the heart of Valpolicella Classica, Rubinelli Vajol stands out for a refined style. “Destinée” 2011 opens of cola, roots and dry flowers, with a balanced and savory sip.

Zymè – Amarone della Valpolicella Esemplare Fondo DOCG “MARTEARA” 2011

Guided by Celestino Gaspari, Zymè is synonymous with research and vision. “Martonara” 2011 is intense, with hints of blackberry, black pepper and herbs. The sip is complex, deep and meditative.

According to Marco – Amarone della Valpolicella Esemplare Fondo DOCG “Fumetti” 2008

Single label, “fumetti” was produced only once, durante 2008. Atypical amarone, with scents of spices and walnuts and a fresh and incisive sip, of great personality.