Quintarelli’s Valpolicella is composed of 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Sangiovese. The grapes come from their own vineyards near Verona, where the vines are on average 30 years old, growing mainly on basalt and limestone soils, which give red wines with great finesse and aroma. After gentle pressing immediately after handpicking, the grapes undergo a 3-4 day skin maceration, followed by alcoholic fermentation initiated by the grapes’ natural yeasts. After fermentation and pressing, the wine is stored in tanks until February, when it is transferred to the freshly pressed must from Amarone. A second fermentation begins (the Ripasso technique), and after that, the Valpolicella is matured in large Slavonian barrels for no less than 7 years!
This is probably the most expensive Valpolicella Classico Superiore in the world, but it is also in a class of its own! The color is very intense and deep red, and the aroma is concentrated and complex with nuances of dark cherries, dark plums, licorice, and tar. On the palate, the wine has both structure, velvety smoothness, and meatiness, with an extremely long finish with notes of English licorice, cherry pits, and stewed dark berries. At the same time, it has a crispness and soft tannin that elevates it and harmonizes well with the fruit’s sweetness. Class!
Quintarelli is perhaps the closest one can get to a “Romanée-Conti” in Valpolicella, as the family has been producing some of the most prestigious and legendary wines in Valpolicella for many years and generations. The company was led until 2012 by the equally legendary Giuseppe Quintarelli, who was of great importance not only for the family business but also for winemaking in Veneto as a whole.
Giuseppe Quintarelli did not hesitate to use new vinification techniques while showing great respect for the traditions of the area. When he died in 2012, at the age of 84, many were curious about what would happen to the famous winery. However, both his wife Franca, their daughters Fiorenza and Silvia, as well as their grandchildren Marco, Francesco, and Lorenzo, have since taken up the challenge, and it seems they learned a lot from the master over the years! Not only did the family business benefit from Giuseppe Quintarelli’s expertise over the years, but he was also known for providing knowledgeable guidance and practical help to young winemakers in the district to get started. He was, therefore, highly respected by everyone in the area.
The winery is located in San Peretto in the municipality of Negrar, and at Quintarelli, craftsmanship remains the key to quality. The vineyards (12 hectares) produce a limited yield of highly concentrated grapes. Harvesting is done manually with careful selection both during picking and upon arrival at the cellar.
The wines from Quintarelli are “classic in the most classic sense,” and they continue to stand at the top of Valpolicella’s podium!
