"Le Arele" Recioto Della Valpolicella Classico DOC, Giuseppe Lonardi, Veneto, Italy, 2017 50cl

A blend of Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara with 20 months in oak. 

This sweet red wine has a deep ruby ­colour. The wine has a spicy bouquet of dried plums, figs, spice cake, and mocha. Full and velvety on the palate with a vibrant acidity. 

Recioto is a highly concentrated, rich wine to sip and meditate with after a meal. Great with chocolate and caramel.  

Emanating from the north-eastern region of Italy, the name, "Recioto" is a derivation of the Italian word, "Orecchio" meaning "ear" as, originally, only the upper lobes, or the ears of the grapes were used. Recioto della Valpolicella is made from the same grapes as its dry cousin, "Amarone", but, unlike Amarone, the grapes are stored in special drying rooms. The grapes destined for Recioto are picked before the normal harvest when only the healthiest ones are selected. Then they are put onto wooden racks for the drying process which will last for 90 days. These grapes are vinified in January when fermentation begins and takes place for 18 days in stainless steel tank that let also the pumping over process of the must.