Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette

The Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG from Le Salette is a dense, powerful red wine from Veneto that shines in the glass with a deep ruby-red color. Even with the first swirl, intense aromas of dark plum and juicy sour cherry rise to the nose. These are joined by fine notes of noble chocolate, spicy tobacco, and delicate cinnamon spice. The bouquet appears multi-layered, rich, and clearly structured, without any heavy overtones. The wine shows a concentrated core and a slightly lighter rim, indicating maturity and concentration.

On the palate, Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette unfolds a silky smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel. The texture glides gently over the tongue, supported by ripe tannins and a finely integrated acidity. The taste is dry, yet the dense fruit of plum and black cherry creates an impression of opulent richness. Flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, and delicate cocoa complement the fruit, while tobacco and cinnamon provide a noble spiciness. The long finish reveals nuances of dried fruit, a touch of fig, and subtle herbal spice.

The aroma structure of this wine is clearly outlined and yet rich in layers. At the forefront are ripe, dark fruits, carried by fine spice and the gentle sweetness of chocolate. In the background, notes of tobacco leaf, dried herbs, and a hint of cedarwood resonate. With some air in the glass, further nuances such as candied orange peel and a hint of vanilla emerge. In this way, Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette reveals a complex yet harmonious play of aromas that keeps every sip engaging.

On the palate, the structure is powerful but never harsh. The silky ripe tannins provide support without dominating. The rich fruit of plum and sour cherry is carried by a fine, mature acidity that brings freshness and tension. Despite 16.5 percent alcohol by volume, the wine appears very harmonious thanks to its balance and depth. The body is full and dense, with an impression of warmth and richness. The finish is very long and lingers with notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, and cinnamon.

The diversity of aromas can be grouped into five core areas:

1. Dark fruit: ripe plum, black cherry, sour cherry

2. Sweet spice: cinnamon, vanilla, a touch of clove

3. Noble bitterness: dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee

4. Tobacco and wood: tobacco leaf, a hint of cedarwood, fine roasted notes

5. Mature nuances: dried fruits, fig, candied peel

This structure makes Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette an ideal wine for connoisseurs who seek dense, dry red wines with a silky smooth mouthfeel. It displays a typically Venetian Amarone style, combining power with elegance while remaining clear and precise. A red wine that works beautifully on its own in the evening, but also shines as a luxurious companion to substantial dishes.

Vinification of Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG from Le Salette

The grapes for Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette come from selected sites in the Valpolicella Classico area in Veneto. It is a classic blend of regional grape varieties traditionally used for Amarone. The vines grow on barren, stony soils with limestone and clay that ensure good drainage and naturally limit yields. The climate is marked by warm days and cool nights, which fosters ripe grapes with clear fruit.

The harvest is done selectively by hand, often in several passes, to pick only the ripest grapes. Strict sorting already takes place in the vineyard; damaged or less aromatic berries are left behind. After the harvest, the grapes are placed in small crates so that they arrive intact at the winery. There, another selection on the sorting table follows to further enhance quality.

For the production of this Amarone, the grapes are traditionally dried on special racks in well-ventilated rooms. This process is called Appassimento. Over several weeks to months, the berries lose water, concentrating sugar, acidity, and aromas. This creates enormous density that later shapes the character of the wine. Only after this resting phase are the dried grapes destemmed and gently pressed.

Fermentation takes place at controlled temperature to preserve the intense aromas of the blend. During maceration, the skins are regularly moved so that color, tannin, and aroma are optimally transferred to the must. Due to the high sugar content, fermentation can take longer until the desired dryness is achieved. The high alcohol content develops naturally from the concentrated must.

After fermentation is complete, the wine matures for many months, often even years, in wooden casks. Both large traditional barrels and selected barriques are used. This long period in wood rounds off the intense fruit, integrates the tannins, and adds notes of tobacco, cinnamon, fine vanilla, and delicate roasted aromas. After barrel aging, the wine undergoes another resting phase in the bottle before being released to the market. Thus, Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette already shows a harmonious, elegant maturity upon release.

Food recommendations for Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG from Le Salette

With its full body, dry style, and silky dense structure, Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette is an ideal partner for robust, aromatically rich dishes. Its notes of plum, sour cherry, chocolate, tobacco, and cinnamon pair particularly well with dark meat, game, mature cheese, and spicy dishes.

• Braised beef cheeks with red wine jus and root vegetables
• Roast venison haunch with lingonberries and spaetzle
• Rack of lamb with herb crust and Mediterranean oven-roasted vegetables
• Ossobuco alla milanese with creamy polenta
• Tagliatelle with game ragout, mushrooms, and herbs
• Risotto with porcini mushrooms and shaved hard cheese from northern Italy
• Mature hard cheese such as aged Grana or robust mountain cheese
• Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content or chocolate tart with little sugar

As a contemplative wine after a meal, Pergole Vece Amarone Classico DOCG - Le Salette also shows itself at its best. Served in a large glass, slightly below room temperature, it unfolds its complex aromas layer by layer and offers a long, intense taste experience.

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