On our way up to
Madonna di Campiglio for our 2014 winter
vacation we managed to work in a winery visit. An area I’ve always wanted to go to is the
Valpolicella appellation of Veneto.
On the drive out
there it made me realize that it is definitely an area I would like to return
to for a long weekend…or more. It was
really beautiful.
When I first
started my sommelier studies I fell in love with Amarone. At the time, circa 2003, it was the best
Italian red wine I had ever tasted. It’s
a big red, in fact you could make a meal out of it by itself. For me now it’s almost too much, but it
remains so special, in a class of itself, a one of a kind winestyle that just
can’t be compared to any other.
In the past I had
tasted a Valpolicella Classico Superiore, La Cengia 2008 from the Lorenzo Begali
 |
| Lorenzo Begali |
winery and thought it was fantastic, so I looked them up, put in a call and
then we made our visit. It was a wet
rainy day and the atmosphere was quite dreary but the wines warmed us up and
the owners were genuine people.
Tasting Notes
11. Valpolicella Classico 2012,
made
from Corvina & Rondinella grapes
aged
in only stainless steel
a
really great wine for everyday drinking
★★
22. Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Ripasso
2011 “La Cengia”
made
from Corvina & Rondinella grapes
this
wine needs some time, it was honestly a little bit of a let down from the 2008
vintage.
★
33. Tigiolo, 2010
Made
from Corvina 45% Cabernet s. 45%
Rondinella 5% Merlot 5%.
They
call this their mini amarone, which Lorenzo calls his own invention
44.
Amarone
della Valpolicella Classico, 2010
aged
in botte grande (big wood casks)
aroma
of licorice, & cocoa with a smokey finish
★★
55.
Amarone
della Valpolicella Classico, Monte Ca’Bianca 2008
Made
from Corvina 40%, Corvinone 35%, Rondinella 20%, Oseleta 5% grapes
My
absolute favorite of the tasting!
★★★
66.
Recioto
della Valpolicella, 2010
made
from Corvina & Rondinella & Molinara grapes
for more info
http://www.begaliwine.it/main.php?section=lazienda&lang=eng
