1997 Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Brigaldara is in San Floriano, Veneto. The 125-acre estate is owned and run by the Cesari family, which has owned it since 1929. The estate makes red and white wines, and is best known for its Amarone della Valpolicella. Gambero Rosso, the Italian wine journal, has noted that Stefano Cesari’s "wines are firmly rooted in Valpolicella with a restricted range that combines traditional and modern features.” The journal has frequently awarded its highest rating of 3 glasses to estate’s Amarones.

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, usually called simply Amarone, was awarded its prestigious DOCG appellation status in 2009. Though lush, high alcohol content red wines have been made in the Veneto since the ancient Greeks settled there, the popularity of Amarone over the last few decades has resulted in international demand for the wine. Amarone is typically made from 45% to 95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella and other indigenous grapes. The blend is essentially the same as for Valpolicella, but Amarone is made from dried grapes, which gives it a rich, viscous quality and an alcohol content between 14% and 20%. Though Amarone is a dry wine, there is a sweet version called Recioto della Valpolicella. The recioto style wines are included in the DOCG, and the word “ripasso” on label usually indicates the sweeter style.