# Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico (2024)

- **Producer:** Masi Agricola
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
- **Region:** Veneto, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 14–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, violet, vanilla

## About this wine

Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico is crafted by Masi Agricola, a benchmark producer led by the Boscaini family since 1772. The wine takes its name from the foothill vineyards in Gargagnago di Valpolicella, where 'Bonacosta' signifies the 'good slope' benefiting from favorable sun exposure and cooling winds from nearby Lake Garda. Recognized globally for its classic style and drinkability, this cuvée famously received high praise from author Ernest Hemingway, who characterized it as a friendly and welcoming red wine.

## Interesting facts

- Ernest Hemingway famously praised this style as 'a light, dry red wine, as friendly as the house of a favourite brother'.
- 'Bonacosta' translates to 'good slope', referring to the ideal sun exposure on foothill vineyard terraces.
- Masi Agricola has been family-owned since purchasing their first vineyard in Vaio dei Masi in 1772.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity and soft, supple tannins make this Valpolicella Classico an exceptionally versatile food wine. Its fresh red fruit character cuts through rich cured meats and tomato-based sauces while complementing white meats and pasta dishes without dominating the palate.

## Wine making process

Harvested grapes undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve immediate, fresh fruit flavors and maintain a light, soft structure. Following fermentation, the wine is aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 6 to 9 months. This brief oak maturation softens the tannins and introduces micro-oxygenation without overpowering the vibrant primary fruit notes.