# Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico (NV)

- **Producer:** Masi Agricola
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
- **Region:** Veneto, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, violet, plum, cloves, cedar

## About this wine

Masi Agricola is managed by the Boscaini family, whose winemaking heritage began in 1772 with the acquisition of the historic Vaio dei Masi vineyard in Valpolicella Classica. Bonacosta is sourced from the foot of the hillside slopes in the Classico zone, where rich topsoils over calcareous sediment and basalt benefit from gentle valley breezes. Famous author Ernest Hemingway famously celebrated Valpolicella Classico as a light, dry red wine, as friendly as the house of a favourite brother.

## Interesting facts

- Ernest Hemingway described Valpolicella Classico as as friendly as the house of a favourite brother.
- Bonacosta designates the fertile foot of the hillside slopes in the historic Valpolicella Classico zone.
- Unlike Amarone, this wine is vinified from fresh, un-dried indigenous grapes to preserve bright fruitiness.

## Food pairing

Vibrant acidity and gentle, silky tannins make Valpolicella Classico extremely versatile at the table. It cuts effortlessly through savory pasta ragús and rich risottos while remaining light enough to complement cured meats and poultry without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

Crafted using fresh red wine vinification with temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and oak tanks without using dried grapes. The wine ages for approximately six months in 60-90 hectoliter Slavonian oak casks, with about 20 percent of the Corvina portion matured in small new Allier and Slavonian oak casks, followed by a minimum of one month in bottle before release.