What kind of wine is Valpolicella Superiore DOP 'Monte Lodoletta' 2018 - Dal Forno Romano?

The Valpolicella Superiore DOP “Monte Lodoletta” 2018 - Dal Forno Romano is an excellent red wine born in the heart of Valpolicella, the fruit of the talent and vision of one of Verona's most renowned producers. The grape blend is typical of the appellation: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Croatina, hand-selected and carefully vinified. This wine stands out for its vigorous and intense style, with a full body perfectly balanced by elegance and aromatic precision. It is a wine of great character, capable of evolving over time and offering authentic emotions even to less experienced palates.

Vintage Details

The 2018 vintage in Valpolicella was characterized by balanced weather conditions, with a warm but not excessive summer and a dry autumn, ideal for grape ripening. The result is a wine of great harmony and depth, with a perfect balance between freshness and structure. Once harvested, the grapes undergo an appassimento period of about 45 days, a traditional technique of the area that concentrates aromas, sugars, and color, adding complexity to the final wine.

Vinification and Aging

After the appassimento, the clusters are crushed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to best preserve the varietal aromas. Contact with the skins (the so-called maceration) allows for the extraction of color and soft tannins. Subsequently, the wine matures for 36 months in new barriques, small French oak barrels that impart sweet woody notes and an elegant aromatic complexity. This is followed by a 24-month bottle aging, necessary to achieve perfect integration between power and finesse.

Tasting Notes

Color
In the glass, it presents a deep, almost impenetrable ruby red color, anticipating the richness of the sip. Nose
On the nose, it releases a broad and refined bouquet: ripe cherry, wild berries, plum, and spicy nuances of cocoa, vanilla, and black pepper. With aeration, delicate balsamic notes and a hint of tobacco emerge, a sign of great evolution. Palate
The palate is full, enveloping, and perfectly balanced. The tannin (the natural substance that gives structure and a slightly dry finish to the wine) is velvety and perfectly integrated. The lively acidity supports a long and harmonious persistence, with returns of ripe fruit and sweet spices that leave the mouth satisfied.

Food Pairings for Valpolicella Superiore DOP 'Monte Lodoletta' 2018 - Dal Forno Romano

This Valpolicella Superiore is a wine of great gastronomic versatility, perfect for accompanying rich and structured dishes. Ideal with:

• grilled or roasted red meats;
• traditional braised and stewed dishes;
• aged cheeses such as Monte Veronese and Parmigiano Reggiano;
• game dishes, such as hare or roe deer.

It is best expressed when served at around 18°C, after adequate aeration in a decanter for at least an hour.

Storage and Aging: How to Store Valpolicella Superiore DOP 'Monte Lodoletta' 2018 - Dal Forno Romano

To best preserve the quality of this great Veronese red, it is important to store it in a cool, dark environment with controlled humidity. The ideal temperature is between 12 and 16°C, with the bottle placed horizontally to keep the cork elastic and sealing. Thanks to its structure and long aging, the Valpolicella Superiore “Monte Lodoletta” 2018 can evolve in the bottle for over 15 years, developing further aromatic nuances and an even more fascinating gustatory complexity over time.