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Anteprima Amarone: an exclusive event for a luxury wine

Anteprima Amarone: an exclusive event for a luxury wine

12 February 2019

On the first weekend of February, Verona celebrated its red king with a special event completely dedicated to Amarone. This year, more than 60 wineries attended the Anteprima to launch the promising vintage 2015. Let’s discover together what went on behind the scenes.

About Anteprima

The annual event, which has been going on since 2003, is the only one that focuses 100% on Valpolicella’s most important wine and it is considered as its best showcase. However, Anteprima (literally “preview”) is much more than just an Amarone fair. Organized and promoted by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella*, Anteprima is a wonderful mix of workshops, interviews and wine tastings with Amarone as common thread.

Moreover, it is set in one of the most beautiful palaces in Verona: Palazzo della Gran Guardia, right in the heart of the city of love. The 16th edition, which took place on 2nd-4th February 2019, was a resounding success with a great involvement of national and international press, HoReCa businessmen and wine lovers. Of course, we were there too and we took a video to show you and make you feel the vibrant atmosphere of Anteprima!

* An association born in the 20s to protect, sponsor and enhance Valpolicella’s wine production

Anteprima Amarone 2015
Palazzo della Gran Guardia, Anteprima Amarone 2015

Why are we drinking Amarone 2015 in 2019?

Now you may be wondering why the 65 wineries, which took part in Anteprima this year, presented vintage 2015 and not their last one. Well, the secret lies in the production process of Amarone. As you probably already know from our article Valpolicella, love at first sip, Amarone is a DOCG wine*. Simply put (very, very, very simply!) it means that, in order to produce Amarone, winemakers have to follow a disciplinary of production that contains strict rules and regulations. These rules concern for example yields per hectares, allowed grape varieties and of course wine production methods and techniques.  Regarding this last point Amarone producers have to:

  • select the best bunches during harvest time;
  • leave them to dry for at least 3 months (the famous appassimento);
  • press the grapes, obtain the must and turn it in wine (going through maceration and fermentation);
  • leave the wannabe Amarone to age in wood for at least 2 years.

That said, you can clearly understand that you cannot drink the vintage 2018 in 2019 because by the law the wine cannot be declared as Amarone (or better, not yet!).

* = controlled and guaranteed designation of origin

Exhibitor at Anteprima Amarone 2015

Exhibitor at Anteprima Amarone 2015

The best vintage out of the last 30 ones

As already said, the vintage which was presented this year was 2015. An amazing year, described during the kermesse as the best one out of the last 30. 2014 was rather difficult — bad weather conditions forced many producers to skip the production of their top wine. Luckily, 2015 saw warm and sunny days, low but regular rainfall and a low humidity level. This was the perfect mix for a good grape ripening in the vineyards. In fact, this weather could develop a good sugar content, and consequently an awesome wine with an extraordinary elegance.

Tasting a glass of Amarone 2015 means finding in a single sip many different notes. Not only fresh and ripe red fruits, with cherry being paramount, but also spices like cinnamon, cloves, cocoa and coffee, and a hint of balsamic notes like mint and citron.

Did we make you want to try a glass of Amarone 2015? Then book one of our Valpolicella’s wine tours! You will taste how these flavours blend together, visit the wineries which attended Anteprima and discover more about this astonishing vintage!

Amarone della Valpolicella 2015

Amarone della Valpolicella 2015

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