1988 Bolla Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Bolla was established in 1883, when Abele Bolla, who owned a well-known inn and restaurant, built a cellar in Soave, south of Verona. He started producing wine and was soon winning awards for winemaking. In the early 20th century his entrepreneurial sons opened fashionable bars in Venice and elsewhere to help market the family wine, and they opened a second winery in Valpolicella. The family’s flair for marketing helped make the Bolla brand popular in foreign markets such as the U.S. In 2006 Bolla was purchased by Gruppo Italiano Vino, an Italian wine conglomerate. Today the estate includes nearly 900 acres and produces about 10 million bottles annually. Bolla produces a broad portfolio of wines, but is most noted for its Veronese classics such as Bardolino and Valpolicella, and its Soave and Amarone wines. Gambero Rosso praises Bolla wines, and notes that Bolla makes “consistent, traditional interpretations” of classic regional wines.

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, usually called simply Amarone, was awarded its prestigious DOCG appellation status in 2009. Though lush, high alcohol content red wines have been made in the Veneto since the ancient Greeks settled there, the popularity of Amarone over the last few decades has resulted in international demand for the wine. Amarone is typically made from 45% to 95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella and other indigenous grapes. The blend is essentially the same as for Valpolicella, but Amarone is made from dried grapes, which gives it a rich, viscous quality and an alcohol content between 14% and 20%. Though Amarone is a dry wine, there is a sweet version called Recioto della Valpolicella. The recioto style wines are included in the DOCG, and the word “ripasso” on label usually indicates the sweeter style.