Corteforte, Recioto della Valpolicella Amandorlato 2005

Grapes Corvina (65%), Rondinella (20%), Molinara (5%) with other indigenous old vines. Sight Intense red garnet with orange tints. Nose When young, floral aromas (violets, wild flowers, irises) prevail. Palate Clean and extremely complex, with forest floor notes and hints of nut candy, cherries and sour cherries preserved in brandy, spice, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. General Information This version of Recioto is made from selected portions of very ripe clusters of healthy grapes which are then sorted out, checked and rechecked in order to eliminate damaged berries. The chosen few are those designated for the long drying out period known as appassimento, which lasts until February of the following year. Then, after crushing, the raisins are first vinified in stainless steel until April and then, the following racking, transferred to old oak barrels. A long ageing process follows fermentation, never entirely completed to allow some residual sugar, as well as lengthy bottle aging. Food Match Chocolate and the local speciality, the Pandoro di Verona, pies and dry pastries. Also, it can accompany red meats and game (wild boar especially) Amandorlato has an almond taste due to the vines being grown next to almond trees.