Amarone della Valpolicella
At ONWINE you buy Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG directly from the winemaker in Veneto. From approachable Classico to aged Riserva and sweet Recioto: every bottle reaches your door without middlemen. Free shipping from 12 bottles.
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What is Amarone della Valpolicella?
Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the great red wines of Italy, made in the Valpolicella hills north of Verona. The name loosely translates as "the great bitter one", a reference to the dry character that sets it apart from the sweet Recioto. An Amarone is full, powerful and complex, with aromas of dried cherries, plums, spices and chocolate, an alcohol level of 15 to 17 percent and an ageing potential of 15 to 20 years.
The appassimento method: dried grapes
The secret of Amarone is the appassimento method. After the hand harvest, the grapes, at least 45 percent Corvina complemented by Rondinella and other local varieties, dry for three to four months on wooden racks in well-ventilated drying rooms. The grapes lose about a third of their weight: sugars, colour and aromas concentrate. After vinification the wine matures for at least two years in barrel, a Riserva at least four. The result is a concentrated, velvety wine made nowhere else in the world quite like this.
Amarone styles at a glance
| Style | Ageing | Character | Best with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarone Classico DOCG | Min. 2 years | Full, velvety, dried fruit | Beef, game, braised dishes |
| Amarone Riserva DOCG | Min. 4 years | Even deeper, tobacco, leather | Mature cheese, special occasions |
| Recioto della Valpolicella | Like Amarone, sweet | Sweet, concentrated, cherry jam | Chocolate desserts, blue cheese |
How long can you age Amarone?
Amarone is an excellent wine to cellar. Drunk young (under 5 years) it shows dried fruit, chocolate and spices. Between 5 and 15 years, notes of tobacco, leather and earth develop, for many lovers the high point. Top Amarones and Riservas age effortlessly for 20 years. Store the bottles lying down, in the dark, at a constant 12 to 16 degrees.
Serving Amarone
Serve Amarone at 16 to 18 degrees in a large Burgundy glass and open the bottle one to two hours in advance; young Amarones benefit from a carafe. A tip from Veneto: risotto all'Amarone, in which the wine cooks along in the risotto, is one of the most famous dishes of the region.
What to eat with Amarone?
| Dish | Recommended style |
|---|---|
| Braised beef, ossobuco, game | Amarone Classico |
| Risotto all'Amarone, truffle dishes | Amarone Classico |
| Mature Parmesan, pecorino | Amarone Riserva |
| Chocolate desserts, blue cheese | Recioto |
Buy Amarone at ONWINE
At ONWINE you buy Amarone della Valpolicella directly from the winemaker, including the family estates Cottini Marco and Ca Matta from the hills of Veneto. The winemaker sets the price and the range, without middlemen: you pay a fair price and more of your purchase goes to the people who actually make the wine. Prefer to taste Amarone first? Choose a Valpolicella tasting pack or visit our wine store in Utrecht.
