What kind of wine is Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box)
The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box) is a great Venetian red wine, elegant and complex, a symbol of the winemaking tradition of Valpolicella Classica. It is born from the union of two native grape varieties: Corvina Veronese and Rondinella. These grapes are grown in the Veronese hills, where the microclimate and the calcareous-clay soil give the wine its characteristic aromatic richness and significant structure.
The result is a wine with a full body, enveloping and deep, suitable for those who love soft yet intense, long-lived reds with a strong character. Its presentation in an elegant wooden box also makes it a perfect idea for a prestigious gift or to enrich one's cellar.
Vintage Details
The 2015 vintage is remembered as one of the most balanced of recent years in Valpolicella. After a cool and rainy spring, the hot and dry summer allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. These conditions favored fruit rich in sugars and aromas, while maintaining good natural acidity. The result is a complex, intense yet harmonious Amarone, capable of elegantly expressing the purity of the territory.
Winemaking and Aging
The production of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani follows the traditional appassimento technique: after harvesting, selected bunches are left to rest for about 120 days in well-ventilated drying lofts, where they lose part of their water, concentrating sugars and aromas.
Fermentation occurs slowly during the winter, at low temperatures, to preserve the aromatic profile as much as possible. This is followed by a long maturation in large Slavonian oak barrels which can last up to six years, during which the wine evolves, developing spicy notes and extraordinary complexity. After bottling, it rests further in glass to complete its gustatory balance.
Tasting Notes
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani is a wine of great personality, captivating with its structure and aromatic depth. Below are the main sensory characteristics that make it unique.
Color
Visually, it presents a deep, almost impenetrable ruby red color, with slight garnet reflections due to aging. Its brilliance and density anticipate a full-bodied and long-lived wine.
Nose
The bouquet is broad and complex: aromas of ripe cherry, plum, and red fruit jam emerge, followed by hints of sweet spices, cocoa, and tobacco. With oxygenation, delicate notes of vanilla and licorice, typical of oak aging, are revealed.
Taste
On the palate, it is full-bodied, warm, and enveloping. The tannins are silky and well-integrated, while the long aromatic persistence provides a soft and harmonious finish. It is a balanced wine, where sweetness, freshness, and alcohol find perfect harmony.
What dishes to pair with Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box)
A wine of such structure requires dishes with bold and persistent flavors. Excellent for accompanying:
- Braised or roasted red meats
- Game and venison dishes
- Aged cheeses, such as Monte Veronese or Parmigiano Reggiano
- Dishes based on truffles or porcini mushrooms
It also pairs well with moments of meditation, enjoyed alone in large glasses, perhaps at the end of a meal.
Storage and aging: how to store Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box)
To preserve the characteristics of this Amarone, it is important to follow some basic rules. Store it in a cool environment, with a constant temperature between 14 and 18°C, away from direct light and vibrations. The bottle should be kept lying down, to keep the cork moist and ensure a perfect seal.
Thanks to its structure and long maturation, this wine can rest in the cellar for over 20 years, evolving in elegance and complexity. Over time, it will develop further tertiary aromas and a pleasant softness on the palate, making each sip an ever-new experience.
Bertani
The history of the Bertani winery The Bertani winery is one of Italy's oldest and most respected wine producers, founded back in 1857. Its history is a blend of tradition and innovation, where the heritage of the past is carefully preserved, while new production techniques are adopted to meet mod...
How to best open and serve Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box)
1. Bottle positioning
Before opening Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box), it is advisable to position the bottle vertically for at least 24 hours. This allows the natural sediments formed during aging to settle at the bottom, preventing them from ending up in the glass when pouring.
Avoid abrupt movements and store the bottle in an environment with a constant temperature, away from light and heat sources.
2. Ideal serving temperature
The optimal serving temperature for Amarone is between 18°C and 20°C. If the bottle is stored in a cellar, take it out about an hour before tasting to allow the wine to reach the ideal temperature. A wine that is too cold will have muted aromas, while one that is too warm will lose balance and freshness.
3. Opening the bottle
To properly open Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box):
- Cut the capsule just below the neck ring.
- Carefully clean the rim of the bottle.
- Use a lever or two-step corkscrew and extract the cork slowly to avoid breaking it (corks from aged wines can be delicate).
4. Inspection and first taste
Once opened, smell the cork to ensure it has no unpleasant odors (moldy or damp smells are signs of a defect). Pour a small amount of wine into a glass and taste: if the taste is balanced and the aroma intense, the wine is ready to be served.
5. Decanting and oxygenation
Decanting is a fundamental step to enhance a wine of this vintage. Perform it calmly:
- Slowly pour the wine into a carafe or decanter, avoiding disturbing the sediments.
- Allow the wine to oxygenate for at least 45-60 minutes before serving.
This phase allows the complex aromas to be released and the tannins to soften, making the sip full and elegant.
6. Serving
Serve Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box) in large balloon-shaped glasses, which allow the wine to breathe and release all its aromatic intensity. Pour a moderate amount to allow for oxygenation in the glass.
It is the perfect wine to accompany rich dishes such as red meats, game, and aged cheeses.
7. Storage after opening
If not consumed entirely, reseal the bottle with a vacuum or airtight stopper and store it in the refrigerator. Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 - Bertani (wooden box) can maintain good characteristics for 3-4 days after opening. Before tasting it again, allow it to slowly return to room temperature.