Amarone della Valpolicella Tenuta Sant Antonio Venetien Italien 2004
The wine and its style:
This wine offers a new interpretation of Amarone, the most famous and representative wine of the Valpolicella region. It is a ductile Amarone, open to several combinations, able, thanks to its greater acidity, which gives it a certain freshness, to accompany an entire meal.

The vineyard and the grapes:
The Sant Antonio Estate Antonio Castegnedi Selection Amarone is produced from the best Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes from two different vineyards on the Estate. Both located in the hills, the two vineyards differ in soil characteristics: calcareous in one and clayey in the other. The wine that results, together with the masterly blending, are respectively highly concentrated and with the aroma of spice in the first case, and rounded tannins and an aroma of mature fruit in the other. The growing systems are also different, with guyots and with arbours, and the density (8000 and 4000 plants per hectare respectively) as is the age of the two vineyards (15 and 25 years). The vineyards are completely turfed and shower irrigation is available when necessary. Green pruning is carried out and the bunches are thinned several times during the growing phase.

Wine-making and refining:
The grapes are handpicked and collected in small crates from the last ten days of September to the first ten of October in two or three passages depending on the climatic conditions of the season. They are then left to dry for three months in naturally ventilated sheds. The wine is made at the end of January and fermentation lasts thirty days. It is then refined in new 350-litre oak barrels for two years and then for a further six months in bottles before selling.

The wine
A ruby red wine with garnet reflections. The perfume is one of mature fruit accompanied by liquorice, black pepper and spices and chocolate. To the palate it is concentrated, structured and dry. The tannins are sweet, it is harmonious and has a freshness which is sustained by a good acidity.

Food combining:
The origin of dried grapes often limits food combining with Amarone. On the contrary, the Sant Antonio Estate, Antonio Castagnedi Selection Amarone has a considerable ductility thanks to its higher acidity content, which gives it freshness. It was designed to accompany a whole meal, from savoury first courses seasoned with truffle, hare and game, to red meats, to mature cheese. A serving temperature of between 15°C and 17°C enhances its drinkability.