Brolo Dei Giusti, Amarone della Valpolicella

Wine Type: Red

Grape(s): 90% Corvina/Corvinone, 10% Rondinella

Country: Italy

Region: Amarone della Valpolicella

Organic: No

Vegan: No

ABV: 16%

Winemakers: Luca Degani

Winemaking: In northern Italy, a ‘Brolo’ is a walled vineyard similar to a French ‘Clos’. Cantina Valpantena directly farms three Broli comprising 13 hectares of vines. One lies in the heart of the Valpantena Valley while the other two are in Montorio, on the Val Squaranto side. Stefano Casali, Valpantena’s head agronomist, manages these vineyards and has introduced reduced spraying, carefully controlled water consumption and the elimination of weed killers. The knowledge and results that Stefano gains from these vineyards are then used to advise other Valpantena growers on their viticulture. These efforts have been formally recognised through accreditation for all the Broli vineyards with VIVA Sustainable Viticulture certification 

The grape varieties grown in the Broli are Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, trained using the traditional ‘Pergola Veronese’ method. The grapes are hand-picked to ensure only the best quality fruit is used for the Brolo dei Giusti wines. Cantina Valpantena’s winemaking team, led by Luca Degani, is involved in all stages of vinification. After drying for 12 weeks, the Amarone grapes are pressed in late December. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 36 months in a combination of French and Slavonian oak of different sizes. This resulting wine has serious depth, concentration and complexity and is, deservedly, the flagship wine of this successful and quality-oriented cooperative.

Grapes were hand-harvested during the second week of October. Selected bunches were then put to dry until the last week of December. During this period grapes lost 37% of their weight. Once pressed, the must fermented slowly for 13 weeks at a temperature of 26°C. At the end of the fermentation the wine was aged in oak for 36 months and then another 12 to 24 months in tank before bottling.

Tasting Notes: This wine is ruby in colour with an intensity that suggests a long – ageing potential. On the note it shows delicate aromas of cocoa and sweet spices with hints of red berries and dark cherries under spirit. The palate is intense and round with smooth tannins and a warming sensation that is well balanced with the elegant and intense flavours that carry from the nose. It has a long and persistent finish.