Amarone is a unique wine made in one region of the world, the Veneto. Produced from a variety of indigenous grapes, the bunches are hand-harvested and allowed to gently dry until January following the autumn harvest. At that point, the alcohol and acidity have concentrated as a result of this drying process and then the grapes are crushed and fermented into a unique red wine, normally quite rich in alcohol. It is then aged for approximately 30 months in 500 liter neutral oak barrels made of French and American oak.
This production process is quite risky, as any blemishes of any bunches may provoke the onset of Botrytis cinerea, or gray rot, which would ruin the wine. The final result is a a very ripe, raisiny and full bodied wine.
Dark ruby in color, this wine is clean, intense and shows complex aromas of blackberries, plum and cherry jam with some balsamic notes. It has a complex and very long finish and goes exceptionally well with hearty winter fare such as wild game, braised meats and of course, hearty pastas.