Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati

In the glass, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati displays a bright ruby red with a dense core and delicate reflections tending towards garnet. The first impression is opulent and clear, with high brilliance. Even when swirled in the glass, the powerful structure becomes visible through the slow church windows on the glass wall.

On the nose, a multi-layered, deep bouquet unfolds, typical of Amarone from Veneto. Juicy dried plum comes to the fore, joined by ripe black cherry, blackberry and a hint of cassis. Dark chocolate settles over it like a fine veil, while tobacco notes, sweet spices and a touch of vanilla round off the aroma. Subtle hints of coffee, dried figs and a little liquorice appear, along with a delicate note of rose petals and Mediterranean herbs.

On the palate, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati presents itself as full-bodied, silky and at the same time powerful. The dried fruit aromas of dried plum and fig merge with ripe black cherry, dark berries and a hint of candied orange peel. The tannins appear ripe, soft and tightly woven, giving the wine structure without hardness. The acidity appears balanced and brings freshness to the opulent richness. On the mid-palate, nuances of dark chocolate, mocha and sweet tobacco emerge, along with fine spicy accents of cinnamon, clove and pepper. The body appears powerful, rich and at the same time elegantly guided.

The finish of this Amarone is long and impressive, with persistent notes of chocolate, dried fruits and a fine smoky tone. A hint of almonds and dark cherry accompanies the finale. The style is clearly fruit-driven, yet spicy and complex, with a focus on harmony between richness, warmth and elegance.

The origin in the hilly landscape of Valpolicella in Veneto shapes the character of the wine. The vineyards lie on calcareous soils with layers of marl and partly clayey deposits. The climate of the region brings warm summers, mild winters and fresh winds from the Alps. This location promotes slow ripening of the grapes, concentrated aromas and a remarkable structure. Corvina and Rondinella are ideally suited to this terroir, providing intense fruit, spice and depth.

The main impressions on the nose and palate are clearly defined. For better orientation, the interplay of aromas appears in these facets:

• Fruit: dried plum, black cherry, blackberry, dried figs, a little candied orange peel
• Spice: tobacco, cinnamon, clove, pepper, liquorice, delicate vanilla
• Roasted notes: dark chocolate, mocha, subtle hints of coffee
• Floral and herbal nuances: rose petals, Mediterranean herbs, a hint of undergrowth

The Amarone style appears rich and concentrated. The slow ripening of the grapes and the classic maturation lead to a wine with charming warmth and deep structure. At the same time, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati remains surprisingly balanced, never ponderous, but with a clear line and firm form.

Production of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG from Tenuta Marcati

The grapes for this Amarone come from selected vineyards in the protected Amarone della Valpolicella appellation in Veneto. The vines grow on slopes with well-drained, calcareous soils, interspersed with marl and partly gravel. The exposure of the sites allows for plenty of sunshine during the day, while fresh air currents from the pre-Alps cool the nights. These contrasts promote aromatic depth and stable structure in the berries.

The cuvée is based on Corvina and Rondinella. Corvina provides the juicy cherry note, the clear fruit and the elegant tannin structure. Rondinella brings additional color, spice and a hint of herbal aroma to the cuvée. Together they form the typical Amarone profile with intense fruit, fine spice and long maturation.

The harvest is usually selective and done by hand, so that only fully ripe grapes reach the cellar. The winegrowers place great value on small crates to keep the berries intact. After the harvest, the grapes are traditionally dried on racks or in shallow crates in well-ventilated rooms, the so-called appassimento. Over several weeks to months, the berries lose water, the aromas intensify, the sugar content increases and the skins concentrate their color and tannins.

After the drying period, gentle destemming and pressing take place. A cold maceration period intensifies color and aromas before fermentation begins. Fermentation is temperature-controlled in order to preserve the aromatic diversity and to shape the powerful structure in a targeted way. Extended maceration brings additional depth, extract and complexity to the young wine.

The wine then matures for an extended period in wooden barrels, often in a combination of large casks and barriques. The wood supports the wine with delicate roasted aromas, notes of vanilla, chocolate and fine smoke. At the same time, the tannins become rounder and gain in elegance. Maturation on the fine lees lends additional creaminess and depth. After barrel aging, a further resting phase in the bottle follows, so that all components can combine into a harmonious whole.

Tenuta Marcati places great importance on faithfulness to terroir and concentration. The goal remains an Amarone with clear origin, rich in fruit, spice and structure, without overloading. Every step from harvest to bottling is guided by this aspiration towards high quality and coherent balance.

Enjoyment recommendations for Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG from Tenuta Marcati

This Amarone is an ideal match for robust, aroma-rich dishes. The dense fruit and spice marry particularly well with hearty dishes. The following order serves as a guideline for the choice of dishes:

1. Starters and cheese platters
2. Braised dishes and roasts
3. Aged hard and blue cheeses
4. Fine desserts with dark chocolate

At the beginning of the meal, the wine accompanies a platter of air-dried ham, salami, robust hard cheese and olives. The dried fruit aromas harmonize excellently with spicy bacon and aromatic fennel salami. A risotto with porcini mushrooms or truffle is also an excellent pairing, as the earthy notes and creamy texture accommodate the wine’s richness.

With main courses, the Amarone shines alongside braised leg of lamb, beef cheeks or a classic beef roast with dark sauce. Game dishes, such as venison ragout or saddle of venison with lingonberries, also show their strengths impressively at the side of this wine. Robust pasta dishes with ragù, baked lasagne or gnocchi with Gorgonzola and walnuts likewise make excellent companions.

At the end of a meal, the wine pairs wonderfully with mature hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino, but also with blue cheese served with figs or dates. For dessert, one might choose dark chocolate mousse, molten chocolate cake or a caramel and nut tart. The chocolate echoes the cocoa and mocha notes of the Amarone and enhances the impression of depth.

This wine is suitable for festive dinners, winter evenings by the fireplace and special moments in a small circle. It accompanies a long menu, but also works well on its own as a meditative wine for quiet conversations or as a stylish gift for wine lovers.

The ideal serving temperature is around 18 degrees. Slight cooling before serving helps to emphasize the freshness of the fruit and to keep the structure clear. Decanting before enjoyment allows the wine to display its aromas in full. A large Burgundy or bulbous red wine glass is particularly suitable, as it gives the bouquet room to unfold.

The Amarone already offers great enjoyment when young, but with a few years of bottle aging it develops additional depth, tertiary nuances and even more harmony. Dark fruit, noble spice and ripe tannins then form an impressive unity in the glass.

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