Masi Toar Rosso Veronese IGT

In the glass

Aroma: dark cherry, pepper, tobacco, cedar, iron mineral, dried herbs

Palate: dark cherry, iron mineral, tobacco, pepper, cedar, dried herbs

Masi's Toar is a 30% Oseleta-dominant Veronese IGT that deliberately showcases the rarely-used indigenous variety; partial drying of the Oseleta component adds concentration and the grape's characteristic dark spice and iron mineral character.

What it pairs with

• Wild boar sausage with polenta
  Peppery Oseleta spice and iron mineral are the natural partner for gamey wild boar sausage.
• Aged Asiago d'Allevo with black pepper honey
  The cheese plate's pepper and age contrasts elegantly with the wine's Oseleta-iron register.

History

Toar (an old Veronese word for a rocky volcanic cliff face) was created by Masi specifically to rehabilitate Oseleta, the indigenous Valpolicella variety that had almost disappeared; by making it 30% of the blend, Masi demonstrated its distinctive spice-iron contribution and helped spark the modern revival of the variety.

1. 1985 — First Masi Toar Veronese IGT release, pioneering Oseleta's commercial revival

Facts

Producer

Masi Agricola

Grapes

Corvina (70%), Oseleta (30%)

Classification

Rosso Veronese IGT

Oak

Aged 2 years in a combination of large Slavonian oak and small French barriques; partial drying of Oseleta

ABV

14.0%

Price

€30-50 at retail

Drinking window

5-15 from vintage

First vintage

1985

Tags