Half Bottle: Valpolicella Superiore 2020 Zenato

Beautifully smooth and velvety wine with great depth of fruit.

Produced from vineyards in the historic zone in the commune of Sant'Ambrogio, from 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese. Production is traditional. The grapes are de-stemmed and lightly crushed, followed by a 6-7 day maceration on the skins. The wine is kept in steel until malolactic fermentation, followed by 12 months? maturation in 33- and 55-hl Slovenian oak barrels. Although the grapes for this wine are sourced predominantly from Classico vineyards the production is supplemented from outside this DOC. As a result it cannot be labelled Classico.

The nose offers supple fragrances of almonds and violets. Crisp and dry in the mouth, well structured, with a lovely, velvety texture. Ready to enjoy now, but can be cellared a few years.

Documents of the 12th Century are the first to mention the area, referring to it as Valle Policella, or Val Polesella; the etymology may be from the Greek 'polizelos', or 'doubly blessed'. The territory is set between the river Adige and Lake Garda, which separate it from the Verona plain; the Lessini hills form its frontier against Trento to the north, while Verona protects it on the east.

The landscape is one of gentle valleys, all interconnected, filled with woods, springs, and cultivated fields. Vines, olives, and cherry trees dot gently undulating hills, and its fields are rich and fertile.