Costasera Amarone 2017

Amarone is the product of a wine-making method the Ancient Romans called "appassimento" which involved grape drying. At the end of September or the beginning of October, the best clusters of grapes from hillside vineyards are picked and laid out on bamboo racks in special lofts. By the end of January the grapes have lost 35% of their original weight and have highly concentrated sugars. Only the Corvina grapes are naturally attacked by noble rot.

From Masi’s hillside vineyards on west and south-west facing slopes in the historic Valpolicella Classico communes of Marano, Negrar, S.Ambrogio and San Pietro in Cariano. The soil is red limestone with cretaceous marl.

Deep ruby red with brilliant reflections. Intense and elegant aromas of cherry and plum jam with spicy hints of cinnamon and cloves. Firm structure but very soft on the palate with velvety tannins and a marked acidity that balances the alcohol level well. Attractively long and full flavoured with a fruity finish and soft spiciness.

Excellent as an after-dinner wine, or to go with red meat, game, quails and richly-fl avoured dishes. Very good with well-aged cheeses, such as parmesan, pecorino and gorgonzola.