Wine Dictionary – Amarone
Amarone (pronounced “Ah-ma-ROH-nay”) is properly known as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. Amarone is a big, rich, and “raisiny” tasting full- bodied Italian red wine produced in the region of Veneto in Northeastern Italy. The three Italian grapes used to make an Amarone are Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella. Typically, Corvina is the main grape used in the blend.
Amarone comes from the Italian word “amaro”, meaning “bitter”. Most Amarones have a tart or even an astringent taste to them. However, there are some that can end up with a rather sweet taste. This occurs when the sugars become more concentrated during the drying process of the grapes. With regard to this drying process, a winemaker will take the harvested grapes and lay them on a straw mat, often in an attic or other warm room. The grapes are left to dry over the course of several months creating a “raisiny” flavor that is the backbone of all Amarones.
You can drink Amarone while it’s young, but they can also age very well – for thirty years or more. Amarone wine is rarely released until five years after the vintage. A typical drinking age for an Amarone is 10 years. Because of the high concentrated sugar level, the alcohol content in an Amarone can easily surpass 15% (the legal minimum is 14%).
Because Amarones are super rich wines, they’re really great as an after dinner wine with blue cheeses, nuts and a little chocolate. They should be served at room temperature.
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Tags: Amarone, Blend, Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella, Varietals Guide, Wine Dictionary, wine reference
3 Responses to “Wine Dictionary – Amarone”
The article is usefull for me. I’ll be coming back to your blog.
I AQUIRED A BOTTLE OF AMERONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA . 1988 SANTI. WILL IT BE OK TO DRINK AND WHAT VALUE IS IT.
Amarone can typically age for quite a long time. The taste of an Amarone can drastically change as it ages. They can go from showcasing big vibrant fruit to a more deep and slightly bitter taste as they go10 years past the vintage date. Whether Amarone is drunk young or old is a matter of personal taste. I say open it and give it a try. The 1988 Santi is unfortunately not a collectible. It has a value of around $40 US. Because of the age of the wine, I’d recommend letting the bottle stand for a day or two before opening it. When you’re ready to drink it, be sure to decant it and let it breathe for about 30 minutes. Also have a screen or a filter over your decanter. Chances are this wine may have a lot grape residue sitting at the bottom of the bottle. Be careful while pouring it into your decanter.
Enjoy the experience! Hopefully, the wine will be delicious! Cheers!