In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, leather, dried herbs, cedar, dark chocolate, orange peel
Palate: dried fig, cherry liqueur, tobacco leaf, cedar, leather, spice
Bertani's Amarone is the reference for the traditional, extremely long-aged style: minimum eight years in large Slavonian oak produces a garrigue-herb and leather-inflected wine of remarkable freshness and longevity, lighter in colour than modern Amarone but strikingly complex.
What it pairs with
-
Brasato al Amarone
Beef braised in Amarone is the canonical pairing; Bertani's leather-herb notes reinforce the braise. -
Aged Pecorino Toscano
The savoury, nutty cheese matches the wine's herb-leather complexity. -
Wild mushroom risotto
Earthy porcini mushroom umami resonates with the wine's cedar and dried-herb character.
How to serve Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour) , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Brasato al Amarone, Aged Pecorino Toscano, Wild mushroom risotto. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Bertani has been producing Amarone from Negrar since the appellation's earliest commercial period. The estate's signature is extreme patience: minimum eight years in large casks is standard, giving wines that evolve very slowly and show a dried-herb, leather character quite distinct from modern fruit-forward styles. Bertani holds a large library of back vintages and regularly releases old vintages at cellar door.
- 1857 — Bertani winery founded by brothers Gaetano and Giovan Battista Bertani
- 1958 — Bertani Amarone commercial bottling begins
- 2021 — Bertani acquired by Tenimenti Angelini, traditional long-oak approach maintained
Facts
- Producer
- Bertani
- Grapes
- Corvina (70%), Rondinella (30%)
- Classification
- Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
- Oak
- Aged minimum 8 years in large Slavonian oak 50-100HL casks; often longer for special editions
- ABV
- 15.0%
- Price
- €90-160 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1958
Frequently asked about Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
What does Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, leather, dried herbs, cedar. On the palate, dried fig, cherry liqueur, tobacco leaf, cedar, leather. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Bertani's Amarone is the reference for the traditional, extremely long-aged style: minimum eight years in large Slavonian oak produces a garrigue-herb and leather-inflected wine of remarkable freshness and longevity, lighter in colour than modern Amarone but strikingly complex.
When should I drink Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?
Drink 10-40 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?
Brasato al Amarone is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Pecorino Toscano and Wild mushroom risotto. Beef braised in Amarone is the canonical pairing; Bertani's leather-herb notes reinforce the braise.
What grapes are in Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?
The blend is Corvina (70%), Rondinella (30%). The wine is classified as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG.