Amarone della Valpolicella or just simply known as Amarone is known to be one of Italy’s most legendary wines, with some referring to them as the liquid gold of Italian Wines. Its wines are a result from a well monitored and meticulous production of vines from the rolling hills in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, Italy.
Amarone’s are revered for its rich complexity, bold character, a true dedication to Italian Wines. But some might ask, what makes Amarone so special?
Here we discuss the unique and extensive process you need to know about the Amarone production.
Source: terroiramarone.net
How is Amarone della Valpolicella produced?
To classify as an Amarone, the wine must only include a permitted variety of grapes, which includes the Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grape varieties, these grapes are carefully handpicked by skillful professionals. During harvest only the best bunches of grapes that a not bruised are selected.
The reason that the harvest is done by hand is to ensure their skins are remained intact to prevent the grapes from rotting in the following processes of production. Upon harvest, the grapes go thru a process known as Appassimento, before being aged and subsequently bottled.
The Amarone della Valpolicella can take almost a decade to be produced!
What is Appassimento?
Appassimento is the process of partially drying out the grapes, which are then slowly pressed, and slowly fermented to make Amarone wines. The Appassimento process is done to concentrate levels of sugar and flavors in the harvested grapes.
Upon harvest by hand, the grapes are laid out to dry on straw mats for as long as 120 days, this process must reduces the water content a minimum of 60% from its original before the crushing and vinification process can begin.
Aside from concentrating the levels of sugar and flavors in the grapes, the Appassimento process will also result in important microbiological changes that can impart additional aromas adding greater complexity to its final product.
In the picture below the appassimento step
The Extended Ageing process
Another factor that contributes to the complexity of Amarone is its extended ageing time before the bottling process. The wines will undergo slow aging in oak barrels thanks to the slow oxygenation. As per tradition in Valpolicella regions, the wine rests from 12 months up to a staggering 8 years for the Amarone Riserva before it is bottled.
During the fermentation and ageing the process, the wines are fermented to reach a minimum of 14% alcohol, the complex and lengthy winemaking process is regulated by the Amarone Production Regulation that wine producers must follow within a strict set of rules, which results in the perfect bottle of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Meroni Wines : Finest in Amarone winemaking
In the heart of Valpolicella Classica, Italy, where rolling hills cradle and sun-drenched vineyards, history whispers through ancient vines, lies the Azienda Agricola Meroni winery.
Meroni wines haven’t gone unnoticed by the discerning palates of wine critics and industry experts. Over the years, they’ve garnered numerous awards and accolades, including but not limited to those from Gambero Rosso, Decanter’s Gold Medal, Luca Maroni’s Tre Bicchieri, The WineHunter and even accreditation from the Associazione Italiana Sommelier.
Meroni wines are far from your average, mass-produced wines that are generally available. They are meticulously cultivated from grapes grown in the family’s own “Sengia” and “Maso” vineyards estate. Blessed with the “La Grola” terroir, it exerts a deep expressive nature of their origin, each sip whispers tales of cool breezes and generations of meticulous care.
Who are Meroni Wines?
Founded in 1935, the Azienda Agricola Meroni is a family-run estate that isn’t just about producing normal red wines, they are bottling tradition, passion, and an unwavering respect for the land. At Meroni wines, amidst the legendary “La Grola” hill, generations of the Meroni family have crafted distinctive wines that portrays the unique heritage and the soul of the Valpolicella region.
Unlike many modern wineries, Azienda Agricola Meroni seeks for the pursuit of perfection. This results in their wines that are true to their Valpolicella roots, where earthy notes mingle with hints of aged barrels, spices and hints of tobacco. Intense flavors are complex, unfolding with each sip of ripe fruit and mature elegance.
Amarone della Valpolicella Unlike Any Other
The star of the Azienda Agricolo Meroni is undoubtedly their Amarone production. Unlike the usual production off the shelves in the market, Meroni’s Amarone is a masterpiece of balance, where power meets finesse. Crafted using the traditional Amarone production methods, the resulting wine is a revelation.
A true symphony of depth and complexity, Meroni’s Amarone is an Amarone for contemplation, a conversation starter, a testament to the land and the generations who have nurtured it.
Read more about Meroni Wines here: https://www.vinimeroni.com/en-gb/i-nostri-vigneti
Meroni Selections
Riserva Del Fondatore Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva
30% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella & 10% Molinara Grapes
Il Velluto Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG Classico
35% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella & 10% Molinara Grapes
Carlo Meroni Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG Classico
33% Corvina, 32% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella & 10% Molinara Grapes
In conclusion, Amarone wines are more than just your regular red wines, they are a gateway to a world filled with tradition, where passion and respect for the land are woven into each and every bottle.
At With Love From Italy, we pride ourselves for importing wines that are not only exceptional, but exquisite quality wines beyond the usuals, Azienda Agricola Meroni being one of them.
Contact us today for a special consultancy session to transform and elevate your restaurants wine list or to learn more about the wines that With Love From Italy imports into Malaysia.
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