Thursday, 3 September 2015

Italiaanse Wijnpakhuis Blog

This blog reviews Italian Wine for sale in The Netherlands written by Vincent Sandford an knowledgeable expert  in the Italian Wine Industry and owner of Sandford & Oving Italian Wine Merchants and SEO Synovation an Internet Marketing agency helping clients get the most from the Internet.


Label Amarone Classico from Allegrini

Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 by Allegrini scores 95pts 

by Vincent Sandford Septembre 2015

The Family Allegrini are wine growers from the Veneto region of northern Italy located right in the central area of Valpolicella Classico, in the village of Fumane.  

The territory of Valpolicella Classico extends around the 5 villages of Sant Ambroglio, San Pietro in Cariano, Fumane, Marano and Negra.  The soils in this area are predominantly calcareous and very ancient. The climate is mild with rainfall around 40 inches per year. 

The Process of Making Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico from Allegrini Family.

The grape-drying process known as ‘appassimento’ is one of the defining and most delicate phases in the production of Amarone. Selected bunches of Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Oseleta, harvested between late September and early October, are laid out in crates and left to dry in well-ventilated facilities. The drying process can last from 100 to 120 days. During this period, the grapes lose between 40% - 50% of their original weight and undergo a complex chemical transformation that yields an elegant, velvety wine with an aroma of raisined grapes. During this period, genes are activated in the grapes that control the production of the aromas and substances that give Amarone its unmistakable flavour and bouquet. 

Technical Specifications


Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.
Grape varieties: Corvina Veronese 80%, Rondinella 15%, Oseleta 5% 

The territory of Valpolicella Classico

Vineyard location: Located in the hills of the Valpolicella Classico area Altitude: 180-280 metres (591-919 feet) above sea level Exposure: Southeast Soil characteristic: Varied, but mostly clayey and chalky soils of volcanic origin
Training system: Old vines Pergola Trentina, new vines Guyot
Average age of the vines: 30 years 
Density of the vineyards: Old vines, about 3,000 plants/Ha, new vines about 5,000 plants/Ha 

Vinification and ageing: 

Harvest Hand harvest of selected bunches carried out in late September
Appassimento (drying process): Naturally dried for 3-4 months in the drying facility. The grapes lose 40-45% of their original weight
Vinification: De-stemmed and soft-pressed in early January 
Fermentation: In temperature controlled stainless steel tanks 
Fermentation temperature: 8-22°C (46-72°F) 
Length of fermentation: 25 days with daily periodic pumping over 
Ageing: 18 months in oak, then blended together for 7 months 

Analytical data

Alcohol content: 15.8% Vol Total acidity: 5.9 g/l Residual sugars: 3.8 g/l Dry extract: 34.9 g/l Free SO2: 27 mg/l Total SO2: 89 mg/l pH 3.37 


About Sandford & Oving Italian Wine Merchants

Sandford & Oving source Italian Wine, and only Italian wine.We source the best wines from four important regions of Italy: Marche Piemonte, Toscana and Veneto. Our offices are located in cental Italyin San Severino. Our Dutch offices are in Assen, Drenthe in The Netherlands.  This wine is available from Sandford & Oving for euro 85 for a bottle or euro 490 for 6 bottles.