Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 8 to 25 years from vintage.

vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, leather, cedar, dark chocolate, dried herbs

Palate: dried plum, tobacco leaf, cedar, espresso, leather, spice

Santa Sofia's Amarone is a traditional-style Classico from the historic Pedemonte estate, emphasising tobacco-leather complexity and long cellarability; the 16th-century villa setting adds heritage gravitas to a consistently well-made Amarone.

What it pairs with

  • Braised beef alla Veneziana with polenta The wine's tobacco-leather richness is the textbook companion for Venetian-style braised beef.More wines for beef and red meat →
  • Prosciutto di San Daniele with melon The sweet-salt of cured prosciutto and melon resonates with the wine's dried fruit concentration.More wines for ham →

With cheese

Monte Veronese Our pick Old d'allevo is the sharpest, most peppery Monte Veronese, a cheese for the end of a meal. Amarone, dry and full-bodied from dried grapes and long ageing, has the weight and alcohol to stand up to it. Serve a small piece.

How to serve Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour) , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Braised beef alla Veneziana with polenta, Prosciutto di San Daniele with melon. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Santa Sofia has operated from the historic Villa Santa Sofia in Pedemonte since 1811, but began bottling Amarone commercially in the 1940s under the Begnoni family. The Palladian-attributed loggia of the villa is a landmark in the Classico zone.

  1. 1811Santa Sofia estate established as a winery in historic Villa Santa Sofia
  2. 1943First Santa Sofia Amarone commercial bottling

Facts

Producer
Santa Sofia · visiting guide
Grapes
Corvina (65%), Rondinella (25%), Corvinone (10%)
Classification
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Oak
Aged 3 years in large Slavonian oak casks
ABV
15.0%
Price
€55-85 at retail
Drinking window
8-25 from vintage
First vintage
1943

Frequently asked about Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

What does Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico taste like?

On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, leather, cedar, dark chocolate. On the palate, dried plum, tobacco leaf, cedar, espresso, leather. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Santa Sofia's Amarone is a traditional-style Classico from the historic Pedemonte estate, emphasising tobacco-leather complexity and long cellarability; the 16th-century villa setting adds heritage gravitas to a consistently well-made Amarone.

When should I drink Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?

Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?

Braised beef alla Veneziana with polenta is the canonical pairing; Prosciutto di San Daniele with melon is the other strong match. The wine's tobacco-leather richness is the textbook companion for Venetian-style braised beef.

What grapes are in Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?

The blend is Corvina (65%), Rondinella (25%), Corvinone (10%). The wine is classified as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG.

Tags

cellar worthy corvina corvinone dessert passito dry firm tannin full body hidden gem high acid mood elegant mood rustic occasion dinner party occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with charcuterie pairs with red meat price premium rondinella

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