Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG "San Dionigi" 2019

Perhaps not everyone knows that, in Valpolicella, the most important and prized wine was once not Amarone but Recioto. In fact, to be precise, Amarone did not even exist. It was born much later, it is said by a lucky coincidence. The fact is that Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG is still one of the most interesting sweet wines in Italy. And San Dionigi is the Monte Cillario winery's interpretation of this prized Veronese style. As always, it is made from a blend of grapes indigenous to the region, with 55% Corvina, 25% Corvinone and 15% Rondinella, plus another 5% of other varieties. The grapes, selected and harvested by hand, are left for over a month in special rooms, the fruttai, where they slowly wither, concentrating the aromatic substances, before being sent for processing. At the end of this phase, the wine is vinified and matured in wood. The result is an elegant nectar of intense red colour with brilliant reflections. The nose reveals its sweet fruity soul, with pleasantly vinous notes and clear hints of cherries and currants. In the mouth, it surprises with its perfect balance of freshness and sweetness, with all the scents perceived on the nose in fine evidence. It is with a glass of this Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG that all Sunday lunches should end. Perfect with small dry pastries, it goes well with red fruit tarts. Also excellent in combination with tasty cheeses or on its own, to meditate on the beauty of this ancient Veronese tradition.