AMARONE

Amarone is an often powerful Italian wine made from dried grapes.

Made near Valpolicella, Amarone is made by harvesting ripe grapes and allowing them to dry, traditionally on straw mats. This concentrates the remaining sugars and flavors. Depending on weather conditions, the wine may be influenced by noble rot, although not necessarily in a positive way. The final result is a very ripe, raisiny, big-bodied wine with very little acid. Alcohol content easily surpasses 15%.

The pomace left over from pressing off the Amarone is used in the production of ripasso Valpolicellas.