Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

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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.More wines for wild boar →
• Braised beef cheeks with root vegetables Long-braised collagen-rich beef aligns with the wine's dried-fruit concentration and tannin.More wines for beef stew →

With cheese

Piave Our pick An aged Piave Vecchio or Riserva is savoury, intense and crumbly, never spicy, per Qualigeo and the consortium. Amarone, dry but rich from dried grapes, with full body and firm tannin, stands up to that concentration.

How to serve Zenato 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. 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.

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

Facts

Producer

Zenato · visiting guide

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

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