# Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (2018)

- **Producer:** Scriani
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
- **Region:** Veneto, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 16.0%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** dried fruit, black plum, black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, cloves, leather, bitter almond, liquorice, menthol

## About this wine

The Scriani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 is a distinguished Italian red wine from the Veneto region, crafted under the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico appellation. It is produced by Cantina Scriani, a family-run winery deeply rooted in the historic Valpolicella Classico zone. The wine's uniqueness stems from the Appassimento process, where grapes are naturally dried to concentrate their sugars and flavors, a practice central to Amarone's identity. The 2018 vintage benefited from favorable weather conditions, contributing to the wine's structure and expressiveness.

## Interesting facts

- Known as Italy's 'meditation wine' for its complexity.
- Grapes are dried for 90-110 days to concentrate sugars and flavors.
- Uses traditional Veronese pergola vine training.
- Fermentation occurs naturally over 30-40 days.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, significant tannins, and concentrated fruit flavors stand up to rich, protein-heavy dishes. The wine's inherent complexity can echo or complement the savory notes of game, roasted meats, and aged cheeses, while its structure balances the richness of these foods.

## Wine making process

The production of Scriani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 begins with a manual harvest in late September, followed by the crucial Appassimento process where grapes are dried for 90 to 110 days in fruit drying lofts. After drying, the grapes are pressed, and fermentation occurs in large oak vats over 30-40 days with extended skin contact. The wine then matures in barriques for 16-18 months, followed by an additional 10 months in larger oak barrels, and a final 6 months of bottle aging before release.