Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

In the glass

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

Palate: dried plum, espresso, tobacco leaf, cedar, dark chocolate, iron

Zenato's Classico Amarone incorporates 20% Oseleta adding firm pepper tannin and dark fruit spice to the Corvina-led blend; aged in a combination of large Slavonian and small French oak that bridges traditional and modern styles.

What it pairs with

• Wild boar with polenta taragna
  Gamey boar and buckwheat polenta demand the weight and spice the Oseleta provides.
• Braised beef cheeks with root vegetables
  Long-braised collagen-rich beef aligns with the wine's dried-fruit concentration and tannin.

History

Founded by Sergio Zenato, the estate began producing Classico Amarone in 1967 and was among the early producers to incorporate Oseleta into their blend, the native but often-overlooked variety that adds spice and colour depth. Now run by Alberto and Nadia Zenato.

1. 1967 — First Zenato Amarone Classico vintage under Sergio Zenato
2. 2000 — Alberto Zenato takes over winemaking direction

Facts

Producer

Zenato

Grapes

Corvina (60%), Oseleta (20%), Rondinella (15%), Molinara (5%)

Classification

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG

Oak

Aged 3 years in large Slavonian oak casks; followed by 1 year in small French oak barriques

ABV

15.5%

Price

€70-110 at retail

Drinking window

8-30 from vintage

First vintage

1967

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