Corte Giara, Recioto della Valpolicella

Corte Giara is the negociant label of Allegrini. The wines are made by Allegrini using fruit sourced from outside their own vineyards. They have a similar stamp of quality that sets them apart from most of the Veronese wines produced at this level. As you might expect from Allegrini, the Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone offer outstanding typicity and quality. The Pinot Grigio is more classic than the Alpha Zeta, but with a similar appeal.

The vineyards are situated in the hilly areas of the Valpolicella DOC, at an altitude of 240 metres above sea level. The vineyards face south-east and are based on chalky and clay soils. The vines are trained according to the traditional arbour training system with a density of 3,000 vines per hectare. They are on average 29-years-old.

The selected bunches were harvested by hand and the grapes left to dry for four months in a humidity-controlled drying centre, where they lost about 50% of their original weight. After destemming and soft crushing in late January/early February, the grapes were fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks at 8-22°C for 22-24 days with daily pump overs. The wine was aged for five months in stainless-steel tanks, 15 months in oak (half in large Slavonian oak barrels, half in second-use barriques) and a further six months in bottle.

Ruby red in colour, this Recioto has an intensely aromatic nose, which is bursting with red fruits and herbs. On the palate, it is succulent and beautifully balanced. The elegant, crisp acidity complements the sweetness giving a long, satisfying finish.