Italy, 13%, £8.95
http://www.allegrini.it/allegrini_it
Colour: clear – pale – purple
Nose: clean – pronounced – black cherry, bread
Palate: dry – medium acidity – low tannins – medium body – black cherry, red fruits – medium length
Conclusion: acceptable
No hoopla for this more than functional example of a Valpolicella.
Understanding the label
2008 vintage
Valpolicella is the wine style. Like the Soave before it has to be made in Veneto, Italy. Again it states both of these. It is primarily made of the Corvina grape.
It’s a DOC of Veneto
Like French Beaujolais, Valpolicella can be enjoyed lightly chilled. In addition to the light style there is Recioto, made from dried or raisined grapes, which is sweet. Almost by accident this led to the Amarone style.
In the mid twentieth century quality had diminished, the name had become diluted, and the price had fallen below viable production in the historic zone between Sant and Verona. The creation of a DOC in1968 encompassing the historic zone, that now carries the label of Classico, and the valley along the river Po right up to Soave country revived the Valpolicella name. Additionally the Valpaneta is another region of high regard.
Like its neighbour, Soave, the 2005 application for DOCG status resulted in tighter rules. It has been the Recioto and Amarone styles that have garnered the attention. They are limited to the traditional hillside vineyards; they have the inclusion of the Rondinella grape limited to 5–30%; and have excluded the Molinara grape that is seen as an interloper even in the light style.
Additionally more quality styles are now ‘Ripasso’, translates simply as ‘repassing’. The wine is passed over the grape skins to bolster the flavours. Valpolicella is enjoying an invigorating rebirth currently.
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