# Castelmare Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (2021)

- **Producer:** Cantina Valpolicella Negrar
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
- **Region:** Veneto, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.5%
- **Average price:** €324
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** ripe fruit, cooked fruit, dried flower, sour cherry, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, prune, leather, raisin, earth

## About this wine

The Castelmare Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2021 is a red wine from the Veneto region of Italy, produced by Cantina Valpolicella Negrar. It is made from Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes and falls under the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico appellation. The wine's unique character is shaped by the traditional *appassimento* process and a dual aging regimen in French and Slavonian oak. Cantina Valpolicella Negrar is a cooperative winery with a long history in the region, and the 'Castelmare' label represents their commitment to quality and the expression of the Valpolicella Classico territory. The 2021 vintage was noted for a favorable, stress-free ripening period.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes are dried for 3-4 months before winemaking.
- A blend of French and Slavonian oak is used for aging.
- Production for the 2021 vintage was limited to 2,000 bottles.
- The wine is considered vegan-friendly.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and robust tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of red meats and game. The dark fruit notes in the wine can echo or contrast with fruit-based sauces, while the wine's complexity can stand up to intensely flavored dishes and mature cheeses.

## Wine making process

The production of Castelmare Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2021 begins with the *appassimento* process, where harvested grapes are dried for 3-4 months to concentrate sugars and flavors. Fermentation is carried out at controlled temperatures (10-18 °C) over approximately four weeks. The wine is then aged for 12 months in French oak tonneaux, followed by 12 months in Slavonian oak casks. A minimum of 12 months of bottle refinement completes the process before release.