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.
How to serve Zenato 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. Wild boar with polenta taragna, Braised beef cheeks with root vegetables. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
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.
- 1967 — First Zenato Amarone Classico vintage under Sergio Zenato
- 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
Frequently asked about Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
What does Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, spice, leather. On the palate, dried plum, espresso, tobacco leaf, cedar, dark chocolate. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. 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.
When should I drink Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?
Drink 8-30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?
Wild boar with polenta taragna is the canonical pairing; Braised beef cheeks with root vegetables is the other strong match. Gamey boar and buckwheat polenta demand the weight and spice the Oseleta provides.
What grapes are in Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico?
The blend is Corvina (60%), Oseleta (20%), Rondinella (15%), Molinara (5%). The wine is classified as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG.