About Veneto and Venetian Wine

We at The Sussex Wine Company love Veneto wines and it is Veneto that is home to Amarone - a word that rolls beautifully round the mouth, delighting the tongue, it is a word that befits the wine, deliciously silky.

Veneto is a region in North East Italy and birthplace to arguably some of the greatest wines in the world. It is also region to historical cities including Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet, Vicenza where the great and most influential of architects Andrea Palladio learned his trade, and Padua where lovers of Renaissance art can see Giotto’s fresco cycle, and of course, Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. Veneto is a treasure trove of art, and an area that venerates fine living. It is not surprising, therefore, that Amarone is one of the most distinctive and unusual wine styles and one of Italy’s wine treasures.

And something else about Veneto - take three indigenous grape varieties, Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella, by themselves no doubt agreeable, but bring them together and miracles are in the making. Not just one but four wonders, the straight juicy Valpolicella, the great Ripassa della Valpolicella, the rich Amarone della Valpolicella and the delicious Recioto. It doesn’t stop there, Veneto astounds us yet again with Prosecco, Soave Classico and Corvina.

Amarone – a unique, inimitable wine
The name ‘Amarone’ means ‘big bitter’ so named to distinguish it from the sweeter Recioto wine from which it grew, by accident, as legend would have it. It is said a producer wanted to make a Recioto with Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella desiccated grapes, but having done so, forgot all about it! The wine continued to ferment, to the point where all the sugars were transformed into alcohol and the sweetness was lost (hence ‘big bitter’) and there was Amarone wine. In reality Recioto - one of the oldest wines in the history of wine-making in the area, dating from the 4th century - over time and with the changing seasons, the grapes, although processed in the same way, gradually produced a drier wine – Amarone.

The first vintages were only bottled at the beginning of the 20th century on a small scale and it wasn’t until after the 2nd World War that serious trading began and in 1968 it was awarded the ‘Denominazione d’origine controllata’ (DOC) appellation.

Production of Amarone - a wine of such style
Amarone requires exceptionally high quality grapes and its production demands particular care and attention. Regulations require the mixture of the grapes be made up principally of Corvina (40% to 70%), Rondinella (20% to 40%) and Molinara (5% to 25%), however there is a proposal for modification to encourage qualitative improvements.

The grapes are carefully selected, then laid out by the winemaker in a single layer in wooden crates, on straw mats or bamboo canes to allow the air to circulate; this also prevents the grapes becoming squashed. They are placed in a large room, in a perfectly ventilated and warm environment, thus concentrating sugars and flavours. Over the course of several months, the grapes will be constantly inspected and the bunches turned. During this process they lose half their weight, reaching the required concentration of sugars, 25% to 30%, creating the distinctive raisin-y flavour so distinctive of Amarone wine. The result is a wine rich and powerful with alcohol levels around 15 % abv.
When this withering process has finished the grapes will have lost up to 40% of their original weight, from here they are pressed, this usually coincides with the coldest time of the year.
The ageing of the wines is completed in oak barrels; this encourages more rapid maturing of the wines and fixes the colour. Amarone needs longer to mature than Recioto, in order to evolve and develop its full potential. Further maturation will take place in the bottle in cellars, before being sold.
For those looking for ripe fruit, roundness and power and enjoy a sense of adventure then enjoy Amarone. If you have never tried Amarone wine, do so now, you won’t be disappointed.

We would like to bring to your attention four wines:

Corteforte-Fumane Amarone Classico Riserva di Osan
This is a masterclass Amarone wine, recently winning the coveted Silver Medal at the International Wine Awards and bottled in the unusual 50cl size. The wine has stunning concentration and is produced exclusively from a single parcel of vines within one vineyard – a must for any Amarone lover. It is a small production and we are delighted to be able to list this wine.
Ready to Drink?: Yes and no. The wine is incredibly soft and with decanting can be approached young but will mature for years.
Food and Wine matches: Have with strong Italian cheeses, or any strong flavoured classic Italian dishes.

Cantina Valpantena Amarone della Valpolicella
This wine is 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 70% Corvina Veronese and 25% Rondinella and matured in wood for at least 18 months before bottling. A perfect blend of strength and elegance with a deep ruby colour which hints at its perfume, an exceptional concentration of wild fruits and hints of cacoa. The first sip unfolds the wines full flavour in the mouth; it is strong, rich and vigorous, yet surprising in its balance, maturity and refinement.
Food and Wine matches: This wine is traditionally drunk with game, grilled meats, stews and well-matured cheeses. Serve at 180 - 200 C and open the bottle an hour before drinking.

Zenato Amarone Classico
A stunning, rich and powerful wine, arguably one of the greatest wines of the world - from the superb Venetian estate of Zenato. Made in the traditional manner of dried grapes, a blend of Molinara, Corvina and Rondinella, ensuring a bigger deeper colour, higher alcohol and a hint of sweet berries.
Ready to Drink?: Yes and no. Decanted now the wine is approachable, powerful and soft. Left a few more years and it will be even better.
Food and Wine matches: Big, big red meats, big flavours and mature Italian cheeses.

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