What kind of wine is Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2018 - Le Salette (0.5l)

The Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2018 - Le Salette (0.5l) is a sweet passito red wine that represents one of the highest expressions of the Veronese territory. It originates in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, from a rigorous blend of traditional grapes such as Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, sourced from selected vineyards of the Le Salette estate.

Characterized by a full body and extraordinary aromatic concentration, this wine combines intensity and finesse, thanks to a production process that maximizes the richness of the fruit, transforming it into a velvety and persistent nectar.

Vintage details

The 2018 vintage was characterized by balanced climatic conditions, with warm and breezy days that favored slow and regular ripening of the grapes. During the harvest, Le Salette carried out a manual selection of the bunches, choosing only the healthiest and ripest ones, destined for traditional drying in the fruit drying rooms. This process, which lasts several months, allows the grapes to lose water and concentrate sugars, aromas, and extractive substances, creating the conditions for a wine of great intensity and complexity.

Winemaking and aging

After the drying period, the grapes are pressed and subjected to a slow fermentation, naturally interrupted to maintain a perfect balance between sweetness and structure. This is followed by a long period of maturation in French oak barriques for over three years, during which the wine develops warm and spicy notes and an aromatic profile of rare elegance. Further bottle aging completes the work, making the Pergole Vece ready to be enjoyed, but also capable of evolving over time.

Tasting Notes

Color

In the glass, it presents a deep ruby red with garnet reflections, dense and luminous, a clear indication of its concentration and long aging.

Nose

On the nose, it offers a broad and enveloping bouquet, with aromas of brandied cherry, dried plum, figs, and dark chocolate. This is followed by notes of sweet spices, vanilla, and a light toastiness, a distinctive sign of its long time in wood.

Palate

On the palate, it is velvety and complex, with a perfect balance between sweetness and freshness. The tannins are dense but soft, while the aromatic persistence is very long, with a final return of cocoa, black cherry, and spices. A meditation wine, capable of moving one sip after sip.

What dishes to pair with Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2018 - Le Salette (0.5l)

The Recioto Pergole Vece is perfect to accompany dark chocolate desserts, dried fruit cakes, or the Veronese pandoro. But its elegance also makes it ideal with blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola piccante or Blue Stilton. For the more curious, it can also be enjoyed on its own, at the end of a meal, as a meditation wine.

Storage and aging: how to store Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2018 - Le Salette (0.5l)

To preserve the qualities of this extraordinary wine, it is advisable to store it in a cool environment, with a constant temperature of around 14-16°C and controlled humidity. The bottle should be kept horizontally, away from direct light and vibrations. Thanks to its structure and natural sugar content, the Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 'Pergole Vece' 2018 can evolve for over 15-20 years, developing new aromatic nuances and ever greater gustatory harmony over time.