THE WINE

The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Gioè from the Santa Sofia winery was produced for the first time in 1964; this wine is produced only in particular vintages when the grapes have reached the perfect ripeness to produce this nectar. It blends Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes grown on the hills north of Verona in the vineyards owned by the winery.

THE WINEMAKING

After manual harvesting, the selected grapes dry for a period ranging from ninety to one hundred and twenty days before winemaking. Once in the cellar, the grapes are destemmed, softly pressed and left to macerate in steel for about thirty days. Regarding refinement, the wine rests in Slavonian oak barrels and French oak tonneaux for at least forty-two months. After bottling, this nectar is left in the cellar for another four years before being released onto the market.

THE TASTING

Intense ruby with garnet reflections. The aroma is complex and refined with pleasant hints of cherries, morello cherries in spirit, which alternate with notes of dried figs, which leaves room for a marked note of dark chocolate to close with puffs of white pepper and spices. Rich and powerful on the palate, the silky tannins are very well integrated. This Amarone from the Santa Sofia winery is very well-balanced with a long and pleasantly persistent finish.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Perfect with red meats, game and hard cheeses. Excellent with spicy dishes.

THE AWARDS

2011
– James Suckling  93/100
– Wine Enthusiast 92/100
– Decanter – 90/100
– Luca Maroni 91/100
– Doctor Wine 93/100
– Veronelli 90/100
– Bibenda – 5 grapes