# 'A' Amarone della Valpolicella (2021)

- **Producer:** Alpha Zeta
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone
- **Region:** Veneto, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.0%
- **Average price:** €38
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** fig, spice, black pepper, ripe fruit, dried fruit, black cherry, raisin, black plum, cedar, cloves, chocolate, vanilla, leather, caramel, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

The 'A' Amarone della Valpolicella 2021 from Alpha Zeta is a full-bodied red wine from the Veneto region of Italy, specifically the Valpolicella appellation. Produced in the Valpantena Valley, it is a testament to the traditional *appassimento* winemaking technique. Alpha Zeta, founded by David Gleave MW and Matt Thomson, aims to create modern, fruit-forward wines that express the character of the region. The 2021 vintage was marked by favorable weather, contributing to healthy grape harvests with good acidity.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes are dried for 120-150 days, losing about 40% of their weight.
- The name 'Alpha Zeta' signifies a complete approach to winemaking.
- The Valpantena Valley's soils are poor and chalky, promoting fruit quality.
- This wine is considered vegan-friendly.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and robust tannins are well-suited to complement the richness and protein of red meats and game. The concentrated fruit notes can echo or contrast with savory sauces, while the wine's inherent freshness helps to cut through fattier dishes, cleansing the palate.

## Wine making process

The production of 'A' Amarone della Valpolicella involves the traditional *appassimento* method, where grapes are dried in ventilated rooms for 120-150 days, losing significant weight and concentrating sugars and flavors. After drying, the grapes are fermented for about 20 days at 18-20°C with daily pumping over. The wine then undergoes 18 months of aging in French oak barriques, followed by a period of maturation in concrete tanks before bottling. The 2021 harvest benefited from favorable weather conditions, yielding healthy grapes with good acidity.