Allegrini: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

After tasting a range of Amarones back to 1982 with winemaker Franco Allegrini, James discusses with him the the newer vintages, which seem to be more precise. Franco agrees that he aims to maintain precision in the wines, and when asked about how some people think Amarone should be deep and almost jammy like Port, he thinks the complete opposite.

Franco asserts that the wine should have elegance and finesse and not slip into an obvious path. The use of residual sugar in the jammy type of wines particularly mortifies him.

Though his 2007s and 2008s can be drunk young, both he and James agree they will be much more beautiful in 10 years. And the 2004 is not to be overlooked; although it is considered a lesser vintage, Franco says it pleases and intrigues him now that some time has past. Even in the weaker vintages, if the wine is produced with the right selections and in an interesting manner, it will have longevity, which is exactly what Franco hopes to achieve with his winemaking.

Watch the video to see this conversation unfold.

-KS