Discover Our Selection of Amarone della Valpolicella — The Majestic Intensity of Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella is one of Italy’s greatest red wines. Produced in the hills of Valpolicella, north of Verona, in Veneto, it embodies a unique style: powerful, deep, dry, enveloping and built for ageing. Made mainly from Corvina, Rondinella and sometimes Molinara, Amarone owes its identity to the traditional appassimento method, which consists of partially drying the grapes before fermentation in order to concentrate aromas, texture and structure.

Majestic yet refined, Amarone is admired for its aromatic intensity, velvety texture and balance between richness, freshness and depth. The greatest cuvées, especially those from emblematic estates such as Giuseppe Quintarelli, Dal Forno Romano, Allegrini, Bertani, Masi and Tommaso Bussola, rank among the most sought-after wines of Veneto.

Appassimento: The Secret Behind Amarone

The singular character of Amarone is rooted in appassimento, the traditional drying of grapes. After harvest, the finest bunches are selected by hand and placed on racks or in ventilated drying rooms known as fruttai. The grapes slowly dry for several weeks, sometimes several months, losing a significant portion of their water while concentrating sugars, tannins, acidity and aromatic compounds.

Unlike sweet wines made from dried grapes, Amarone is fermented until it becomes a dry wine. This long and delicate fermentation produces a broad, dense and structured wine whose fruit richness may suggest a sensation of natural sweetness, while retaining tension, firmness and balance.

Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara: The Grapes of Valpolicella

Amarone is made from the traditional grape varieties of Valpolicella. Each variety contributes an essential element to the final balance of the wine: fruit, structure, freshness, colour and ageing potential.

• Corvina — The central grape in the blend, bringing elegance, black cherry notes, structure, fine tannins and ageing capacity.
• Rondinella — Valued for its consistency and suitability for drying, it adds roundness and aromatic balance.
• Molinara — Used in more modest proportions, it can bring freshness, brightness and a more delicate touch to the wine.
• Corvinone — Frequently used in many modern top cuvées, it reinforces depth, structure and aromatic intensity.

The Terroir of Valpolicella: Hills, Limestone and the Influence of Lake Garda

Valpolicella stretches north of Verona across a landscape of hills, with limestone, clay and sometimes basaltic soils, softened by the moderating influence of Lake Garda. The finest vineyards are often located on well-exposed slopes, where the grapes can ripen slowly while retaining valuable freshness. This combination of ripeness, natural ventilation and geological diversity allows Amarone wines to be powerful, complex and balanced.

The Style of Amarone: Power, Depth and Velvet Texture

Amarone della Valpolicella is distinguished by remarkable aromatic intensity. In its youth, it often evokes black cherry, ripe plum, fig, raisin, sweet spices, cocoa, tobacco and dark chocolate. The palate is broad, warm and enveloping, supported by solid tannic structure and the acidity required to maintain balance.

With age, the greatest Amarone wines gain complexity and harmony. They develop nuances of leather, truffle, balsamic notes, dried herbs, preserved fruit and forest floor, while retaining a silky texture and impressive length. This alliance of richness and structure makes Amarone truly unique among Italy’s great red wines.

Ageing and Cellaring Potential

Amarone is generally aged for a long period in oak, sometimes in large traditional casks and sometimes in smaller barrels depending on the producer’s style. This maturation allows the wine to gain depth, harmony and complexity. The finest cuvées can be cellared for 10 to 20 years, and even longer in great vintages from the most demanding estates. Over time, the power becomes more integrated, the tannins soften and the wine reveals a nobler, spicier and more contemplative dimension.

Emblematic Producers of Amarone

Several estates have helped establish Amarone as one of Italy’s most admired great red wines. They embody different interpretations of Valpolicella, ranging from tradition and long ageing to power, precision and refined elegance.

• Giuseppe Quintarelli — A historic and artisanal reference, symbolising profound, complex and long-aged Amarone.
• Dal Forno Romano — A cult estate known for dense, precise, powerful and highly sought-after wines.
• Allegrini — A leading estate of Valpolicella, known for its balance between tradition and modernity.
• Bertani — A historic producer renowned for classic, elegant and age-worthy Amarone.
• Masi — An important estate in the promotion of appassimento and the wines of Veneto.
• Tommaso Bussola — A sought-after producer known for expressive, intense and generous wines.

Food Pairings: Dishes with Depth and Character

Thanks to its richness and depth, Amarone pairs beautifully with generous and flavourful dishes. It is especially well suited to game, braised beef, wild boar stew, rack of lamb, slow-cooked meats, wine-based sauces, mushrooms, truffles and mature cheeses.

Older Amarone wines can also be enjoyed in a more contemplative setting, alongside hard cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino or certain blue cheeses. Their aromatic richness also allows refined pairings with dark chocolate, dried fruits or desserts that are not overly sweet.

Buy Amarone della Valpolicella Online

Discover our selection of Amarone della Valpolicella available in Switzerland: great red wines from Veneto, age-worthy cuvées, emblematic estates and bottles produced through the traditional appassimento method. Each wine is selected for its depth, balance, authenticity and appeal to lovers of great Italian wines. Whether you are looking for a powerful bottle for a gastronomic meal, a wine to cellar or a prestigious cuvée to offer as a gift, Amarone embodies one of the finest expressions of Veneto.

Amarone della Valpolicella: Grandeur, Tradition and Refinement

A masterpiece of Italian winemaking, Amarone della Valpolicella captivates with its contained power, aromatic depth and enveloping texture. Dry yet voluptuous, rich yet structured, it embodies the grandeur of Veneto and the nobility of great age-worthy red wines. The finest cuvées offer an intense, complex and lasting experience, ideal for lovers of exceptional Italian wines.