Amarone Della Valpolicella A Alpha Zeta 2021

Alpha Zeta, `A` Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy, 2021    

Grapes: 80% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 5% Corvinone, matured in oak (a mixture of large 'botti' and French oak barriques) for 18 months before bottling, hand harvested, 5.5g/L residual sugar

Producer Tasting Note:

This Amarone is deep and intense on the nose with aromas of dried cherries and blueberries and notes of spiced autumn fruit compote. On the palate, it is powerful, with a lovely balance of ripe tannins and spiced, concentrated savoury cherry fruit character. A touch of wood-smoke completes the long finish. 

Alpha Zeta was created in 1999 by UK wine importer, David Gleave MW, and New Zealand winemaker, Matt Thomson with the aim of making great wines in the Veneto that express both the true character of the grape variety and of the land.

The vineyards are situated at 100-400 metres above sea level in the hills outside Verona, in the Valpantena Valley, on south/southeast facing slopes. Cool breezes blow down the valley from the foothills of the Dolomites, which moderate the climate, enabling the grapes to ripen and helping them to retain their aromatic compounds and acidity. The soil is poor and chalky so the vines are low vigour and produce superior quality fruit. The vines are 20-30 years old on average and are trained using both the traditional Pergola Veronese and Guyot systems.

The 2021 vintage had excellent weather, with normal levels of rainfall. The harvest period had good weather and fine sunny days which allowed the vineyard team to harvest very healthy grapes, with great acid content. A vintage of good quality overall.

Food Match: Drink with roast duck or goose.