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Amarone and its history
Amarone della Valpolicella, today unanimously considered to be the most prestigious wine from the Verona area and one of the most important Italian reds, appreciated by the most exacting consumers all over the world, grew out of the evolution of Recioto, one of the oldest wines in the history of wine-making in our area. In the 4th century after Christ, in a letter Cassiodoro, minister of Teodorico, the king of the Visigoths, described a wine produced using a special technique for the raisining of grapes, then called Acinatico, produced in the area known as Valpolicella (a name which according to some derives from the Latin "Vallis-polis-cellae" and could mean "Valley of many cellars").
From Recioto to Amarone
Acinatico was undoubtedly the ancestor of Recioto and Amarone. At one time only Recioto was produced in Valpolicella, but with the passing of time and the changing of the seasons, following fermentation the grapes, although always processed in the same manner, progressively gave rise to a wine which was notably drier than the original. If initially this transformation may have represented a problem, this dry and thus more bitter Recioto, rather than the sweeter version, established itself, become increasingly appreciated and sought after. Thus Amarone was created, taking its name from the characteristic bitterish taste. The first vintages were only bottled at the beginning of the 20th century for the use of family and friends. However, serious trading only began after the Second World War and in 1968 it was awarded the 'Denominazione d'origine controllata' (DOC) appellation. Within the context of the panorama of wines of the Valpolicella, Amarone represents only a small percentage and although production increased considerably in the second half of the 1990s as it is a product which requires exceptionally high quality grapes and particular care and attention, the quantity of wine will always be limited as compared to Valpolicella classico and classico superiore, wines which are truly the symbol and strong points of the area. For the production of Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella a quantity of grapes of not more than 70% of the maximum production permitted is foreseen, which the regulations limit to 120 quintals per hectare.
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Agricola F.lli Tedeschi Srl - Via G. Verdi, 4 - 37029 Fraz. Pedemonte - San Pietro in Cariano (Vr) - Tel. +39-045-7701487 - Fax +39-045-7704239
tedeschi@tedeschiwines.com
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