What kind of wine is Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 'Casal dei Ronchi' 2019 - Serego Alighieri, Masi (0.5l)

The Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 'Casal dei Ronchi' 2019 - Serego Alighieri, Masi (0.5l) is a sweet red passito wine, a symbol of Veronese winemaking tradition. It originates in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, where the Masi winery, in collaboration with the Serego Alighieri family – descendants of the great poet Dante – produces a version of Recioto of rare elegance and balance. Made from indigenous Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, this wine expresses a velvety body and a natural sweetness well-balanced by freshness and soft tannins. It is a label that combines craftsmanship and territory, perfect for those who want to discover the most authentic soul of Valpolicella.

Vintage details

The 2019 vintage was characterized by balanced weather conditions, with a warm but not excessive summer and a dry autumn that favored excellent grape ripening. The ideal conditions allowed for healthy grapes, rich in sugars and with extraordinary aromatic concentration. The appassimento (drying) process, a key phase for Recioto, took place slowly and steadily, ensuring a perfect evolution of aromas.

Winemaking and aging

After manual harvesting, the grapes are placed in traditional "fruttai" (drying lofts) for about three months, an appassimento process that concentrates sugars and aromas. Winemaking involves slow fermentation, followed by maceration on the skins to extract color and olfactory complexity. Aging lasts 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels and another 3 months in cherry wood barrels, which give the wine typical spicy notes and a soft, enveloping profile.

Tasting notes

Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 'Casal dei Ronchi' 2019 - Serego Alighieri, Masi (0.5l) is a wine of great personality, capable of conquering with its harmony and aromatic depth.

Color

Visually, it presents a deep ruby red with purplish reflections, dense and brilliant, a sign of its maturity and concentration.

Nose

The bouquet is intense and complex, with aromas of cherries in spirits, ripe plums, and red fruit jam. These are joined by notes of cocoa, vanilla, and a hint of sweet spices derived from barrel aging.

Palate

On the palate, it is soft and enveloping, with an elegant sweetness that is never cloying. The tannins are fine and well integrated into the structure, while the freshness supports the lingering taste, which finishes with fruity and slightly spicy notes. A meditation wine, but also perfect to share at the end of a meal.

Pairing suggestions for Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 'Casal dei Ronchi' 2019 - Serego Alighieri, Masi (0.5l)

This Recioto is ideal with desserts and aged cheeses, but also lends itself to more original combinations. Some suggestions:

• Dark chocolate desserts and red fruit tarts;
• Blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Roquefort, for a sweet-salty contrast;
• Amarena cherry tart or traditional Venetian dry pastries, such as baicoli and sbrisolone.

Served at 14-16°C, it is a wine that captivates with its softness and ability to make every convivial moment special.

Storage and aging: how to store Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 'Casal dei Ronchi' 2019 - Serego Alighieri, Masi (0.5l)

The Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 'Casal dei Ronchi' 2019 - Serego Alighieri, Masi (0.5l) is a wine with a long life. Stored in a cool, dark place, with a constant temperature around 14-16°C and controlled humidity, it can evolve beautifully for over ten years. Its sugary and tannic structure allows it to maintain balance and depth over time, developing increasingly complex notes of spices and candied fruit. Perfect for those who love to taste evolving wines and discover, year after year, new shades of elegance.