# La Collina dei Ciliegi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (2020)

- **Producer:** La Collina dei Ciliegi
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
- **Region:** Veneto, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.0%
- **Average price:** €50
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackberry, plum, cedar, vanilla, dried fig, prune, tobacco, leather, cinnamon

## About this wine

Founded in 2005 by entrepreneur Massimo Gianolli in Erbin (Grezzana), La Collina dei Ciliegi ('The Hill of Cherry Trees') spans over 60 hectares of high-altitude vineyards, cherry orchards, and woodlands in Valpantena. The estate emphasizes biodiversity and high-altitude viticulture, collaborating with renowned soil specialists Claude and Lydia Bourguignon on the 'Supervalpantena' research project to map and express the unique micro-terroirs of the region.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes undergo appassimento drying for 100 days, losing 40% of their original weight before fermentation.
- The high-altitude Valpantena vineyards reach up to 750 meters above sea level, preserving freshness.
- The winery collaborates with renowned soil experts Claude and Lydia Bourguignon on micro-terroir research.
- Awarded a prestigious Platinum Medal with 97 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025.

## Food pairing

Amarone's full body, powerful dried-fruit concentration, and elevated alcohol require rich, savory, protein-dense dishes such as slow-braised meats and mature cheeses. Vibrant acidity cuts cleanly through fat and collagen while structured, velvety tannins pair seamlessly with rich proteins.

## Wine making process

Hand-selected bunches of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella harvested in late September undergo the traditional appassimento drying process in a fruttaio for approximately 100 days, losing 40% of their weight. Following gentle destemming and crushing, fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats over 25 days with daily délestage. The wine matures for 24 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux, followed by a minimum of 6 months bottle aging before release.