1997 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Allegrini is a 180-acre estate in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Established in the late 17th century, the estate remains in the hands of the Allegrini family, now headed by Franco Allegrini. He runs the estate with his wife and daughter. Allegrini produces about 800,000 bottles a year, and it is mostly Valpolicella. Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading wine journal, has noted that Allegrini “remains an anchor for Valpolicella. This traditional estate began its gearing up to quality before wine became fashionable and today it offers traditional wines in a modern idiom.”

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.