The Valpolicella Classica area includes the valleys of Negrar, Marano
and Fumane. Valpolicella is located to the North of Verona, with Lake
Garda to its West; the Lessini mountain chain to its North and East and
foothills separate Valpolicella from Valpantena. The area, from the geographic,
morphological and vegetation points of view can be subdivided into three
zones: mountainous, hillside and high plains.
The Lessinia Mountain zone is formed of cretaceous limestone covered by
pastures, grasslands and fir and beech woods.
The hillside zone, which is the most interesting for us, is formed from
the southern outcropping of the mountains with long foothills separating
the various valleys. Vineyards are planted on these hillsides, rising
up on slopes and terraces retained by dry rock walls (marogne) and banks.
Vineyards grow at a height up to 500 meters above sea level. Geologically
this terrain is formed predominantly of Cretaceous and Eocene limestone
with insertions of basalt strata.
Olives and cherries also prosper here, together with grapes, and cypresses
give this area a note of elegance and beauty.
The plains zone is formed from alluvial soil from the Adige river and
from streams coming down from the single valleys (progni). Grapes are
cultivated here as well as cherries, peaches, vegetables and various types
of grains.
Generally speaking the Valpolicella area is very beautiful and gently
curving. The Lessini mountains to the North and its nearness to Lake Garda
in the West, confer upon it a particularly mild climate. Showers are,
however, rather regular; an unfortunate form of adversity feared above
all for the vines, and hail is formed by the clash of temperate currents
coming from Lake Garda with those arriving from Monte Baldo (2500 m.).
In the hilly area the parallel offshoots subdivide the three valleys from
North to South. The best vineyards of all, those where Recioto and Amarone
come from, ramble up their exposed eastern and western slopes.
From each of the 3 valleys of the Valpolicella Classica, we can obtain
wine with different characteristics.
The Negrar valley yields elegant wines with great structure and rich in
salts, destined to last for many years. The Marano valley gives excellent
wines during warm years since vineyards are at a height of 400 meters
above sea level. Wines are always, in any case, elegant and with intense
bouquets. The Fumane valley gives wines with a slight sugar residue, soft
and designed for medium ageing in the area around the town of Fumane.
The more southern part of this zone (where the valley meets the towns
of Sant'Ambrogio and Gargagnago) produces traditional wines with low acidity
but excellent structure and long lives.
This wine is made from red grape varieties grown on moraine hills
in the Classic Valpolicella zone. This wine is produced using
a traditional Veronese technique: raisin-drying of the grapes.
Winemaking technique: The grapes, as we have
already described, are preserved in wooden crates for about one
month after they are harvested at the start of October. Malolactic
fermentation takes place when alcoholic fermentation is terminated.
Then the wine is placed in Slavonia oak barrels (5000 liter capacity)
and left to age for a year and a half.
Description of the wine: Color - Strong ruby
red with garnet reflections. Clear and transparent. Bouquet -
Complex: a wood aroma mixes with the vanilla of Slavonia oak.
Flavor - Good body, good structure, lively acidity and alcohol
content well balanced with tannins. The after-taste confirms the
notes in the bouquet. A complex and elegant wine. The wine maintains
its characteristics for 5-8 years.
Combinations: an all-dinner wine, from pasta
to cheeses. Serve at 61°F.
UPC 750ML 0 12086 93111 6
For more information on
this wine please click on the links below...
Lucchine is the name of the vineyard that provides the grapes.
It is located in the plains at the foot of the Pedemonte hills
in the heart of the historic Valpolicella area.
Winemaking technique: Grapes are harvested by
hand at the beginning of October. Alcoholic fermentation takes
place at a temperature of 77°F simultaneous with a brief eight
day period of steeping in order to obtain a fresh wine. The wine,
after fermentation, passes the winter in steel tanks. Malolactic
fermentation is only partly terminated.
Description of the wine: Color - Strong ruby
red. Clear and transparent. Bouquet - Fresh and young with notes
of cherries and red currants. Flavor - Lively acidity, well balanced
with its structure and alcohol content. The after-taste confirms
the notes in the bouquet. A young Valpolicella wine, pleasing
and elegant. This wine can be preserved for 2/3 years even though
it is a young and ready-to-enjoy wine.
Combinations: pasta, white meat, light meals
in general. Serve at 57°F.
UPC 750ML 0 12086 93101 7
For more information on
this wine please click on the links below...
Tedeschi, 1999 Amarone della
Valpolicella Classico Capitel Monte Olmi 94 Points click her for
more info...
Tedeschi, 2000 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Capitel Monte Fontana 93 Points click her for more info...
2006 WINES OF ITALY GUIDE
“GAMBERO ROSSO AND SLOW FOOD” EDITORS: THE CAPITEL MONTE
OLMI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA DOC CLASSICO 2001HAS OBTAINEDTHREE GLASSES click here for
more info...
2001 Tedeschi Amarone della
Valpolicella Classico Capitel Monte Olmi 90
Points
2003 Tedeschi Capitel Monte Fontana Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
89 Points
