Fine Lifestyles Santa Fe & Albuquerque Volume 8 Issue 1

Page 37

DINING

notes from a local

Lover Wine barrels stored in a wine cellar of world famous Amarone red wine, produced in the Valpolicella Region

GIUSEPPE QUINTARELLI

IN A SLIGHT CHANGE UP TO MY NORMAL DISCUSSIONS of wine regions and some of the wonderful wines they produce, the next several editions of this column will focus on some of the great winemakers of Italy. And what better place to start than with the late, great Maestro del Veneto, Giuseppe Quintarelli. Giuseppe Quintarelli, known as il Maestro del Veneto, is a legendary estate located in the hills north of Verona in the heart of the Valpolicella appellation. It is regarded by many as the greatest of all Amarone producers, and is known for its traditional deep, complex wines. Giuseppe, fondly known as “Bepi” to those closest to him, was a perfectionist in every way. From the beautiful handwritten labels, to the best possible quality cork, to the exquisite wine in the bottles, the Quintarelli name is a stamp of authenticity and the ultimate indication of an artisanal, handmade, uncompromising wine of the highest quality. Bepi died in 2012 aged 84, but the winery remains family-owned and managed. Multiple passages through the vineyards produce a myriad of wines, many produced using the appassimento technique whereby the grapes are dried on rush mats before being pressed and made into wine. The Amarone wines, the Recioto, and the Valpolicella Classico Superiore all have a similar blend of around 55 percent Corvina and Corvinone, 30 percent Rondinella, with the remaining 15 percent comprising of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese. Quintarelli also makes an Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, which is selected from the very best barrels of the generic Amarone, and a very rare ‘Selezione Giuseppe Quintarelli’ was made from a particularly extraordinary barrel selected by Guiseppe Quintarelli himself. Quintarelli’s Amarones are only released in excellent vintages; in average years the wine is released as Rosso del Bepi Veneto IGT. Another Quintarelli cult wine, gaining some of the highest prices achieved by Italian wine, is the Alzero, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Made only in the very best years, it is made from dried grapes like the Amarone. Do yourself a favor and try one or all of these extraordinary wines. One thing I can promise is that you will not be disappointed! Valpolicella Italian winery and grape hills, Veneto, Italy

DINING

FineLifestyles SANTA FE & ALBUQUERQUE

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