Brolo Dei Giusti, Valpolicella Superiore

Wine Type: Red

Grape(s): Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella Superiore

Organic: No

Vegan: No

ABV: 14.5%

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. The Valpolicella Superiore is made partly from dried grapes. It spends 12 months in large Slavonian oak and two years in cement tanks, resulting in a beautiful, bright palate with great acidity and structure. 

Grapes were hand harvested. Once pressed, the must fermented for 9 days at a temperature of 26C. At the end of the fermentation the wine was aged in large oak barrels for 12 months and then spent another 12 to 24 months in tank before bottling.

Tasting Notes: This bright red wine with purplish hues brings aromas of red fruits and spices, balanced by delicate hints of violet and bitter almond. Full-bodied and structured on the palate, it shows flavours of mellow red fruits and a dry, elegant and long finish. Great ageing potential.