Since I’ve been on a theme of anthropomorphizing wines, I can’t help but continue when thinking about the 2013 Allegrini Valpolicella. Hailing from the Veneto in Northern Italy, Allegrini’s estate vineyards surround the pictured Villa della Torre. Nice digs, eh?
So what do I mean when I call this wine “friendly”? Many things.
First and foremost: it’s easy to drink. The kind of wine you’d ideally get at a casual, cherished neighborhood restaurant. Of course it goes perfectly with your burger, your pizza, your whatever. It’s flavorful, unfussy, not too heavy nor too light. It’s just right. You know, like that fairy tale. ($17, BTW.)
Along with their Valpolicella, Allegrini sent me two other bottles. (All three were samples.) One was an Amarone, the most famous red wine of the Veneto. It’s made from dried grapes, which have less water content so the remaining juice is super-concentrated. It makes for, not surprisingly, an extremely rich wine. And a special one, too.
Though this Amarone (the 2010) is without a doubt a very powerful, full-bodied red, it does manage to stay stylish on the finish. Which seems to be a hallmark of all the bottles of Amarone from Allegrini I’ve enjoyed. Relish every drop with the richest of risottos and/or the heartiest of braised meat dishes. Or just gnaw on a dang hunk of Parmesan in front of a fireplace while you savor a glass. A very special bottle to share with a red wine lover. Or a lover. Or both. ($85, so that’s why you want to choose wisely about who gets to drink it with you.)
Finally, the 2011 Palazzo della Torre. This is a wine I have enjoyed for at least ten vintages, and it is always a smokin’ deal. The Palazzo della Torre is sometimes referred to as a “Baby Amarone” because grapes that have been drying for a few months are added to the wine that started getting made at the time of harvest. Those raisin-y grapes lends some extra richness that can seem Amarone-like.
HOWEVER…
This vintage of the Palazzo della Torre is the most elegant I’ve come across. It drinks much lighter than the previous 10+ vintages I’ve had. ($23, a great deal. Worthy of a case buy, especially if you can get a 10%+ discount from a retailer.)
Would you like to learn even more about Allegrini, the Veneto, and Italian wine in general? Listen to my podcast with Allegrini Estates Export Manager for the US Robin Shay. We also talk about pizza and Julius Caesar.
Villa della Torre image via Sara Matthews Photography.
