Begali Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2022

Begali Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a Veneto red from the Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes, made by the Begali family in Cengia, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica zone. The winery was founded in 1943 and is now run by Lorenzo Begali with his family. Amarone is defined by appassimento, the drying of whole bunches on racks for several months after harvest. As the grapes dehydrate they lose water and concentrate their sugars, acids and phenolics, which is what gives Amarone its power, deep colour and high alcohol, here 16 percent. The dried fruit is then pressed and fermented slowly to full dryness, leaving a dense, warming red rather than a sweet one. The wine ages three years in barrel followed by six months in bottle, the long oxidative time in oak softening the tannins and building dried-fruit and spice complexity. Farming is respectful of the land. The colour is deep garnet. The nose shows dried fig, prune and cherry, with dark chocolate, cinnamon and oak. The palate is full, warming and velvety, with ripe tannins and a long finish. Serve at 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits braised beef and game.