Serego Alighieri italian wines - edencroft fine wines

Italy - Veneto - Serego Alighieri

This estate was purchased in 1353 by the son of Dante Alighieri, and is still owned by his descendants; Masi lend their winemaking expertise.

Coll vineyards near Lake Garda give wonderful richness and clarity to the flavours, and an extra twist comes from the use of traditional cherry wood barrels for the reds (except the Recioto), imparting a unique spicy quality.

The Valpolicella dell'Anniversario was released to celebrate the 650th anniversary of the estate; selected from the best hillside vineyards and given added depth and complexity through double fermentation, it is a masterful wine.

2001, Vaio Armaron Amarone Classico.

Bin No

PP5672113

Size

75cl

Price

£33.50

Grape Varieties: 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 15% Molinara Serego Alighieri.

Wine making: Amarone is the product of the ancient wine making method called "appassimento" (drying of the grapes). At the end of September or beginning of October the best bunches are laid on bamboo racks in the old lofts of estate buildings where large windows allow for natural ventilation. By the middle of February the grapes weigh 35-40% less.

Only the Corvina grape is affected by botrytis ("noble rot"). After a delicate pressing, the dried grapes, which are partially destalked, ferment for 48 days in large Slavonian oak barrels, at low, natural temperatures (the season is very cold); then the wine continues to ferment until the sugar has been totally transformed into alcohol and the malolactic takes place.

Tasting notes: Deep garnet red colour. Big aromas on the nose, concentrated and very elegant at the same time. Attractive hints of spices and sumptuously ripe fruit are quickly evident on the palate.

Grapes picked from hillside sites provide wild flower and herb aromas and touches of spicyness. Dry on the finish with excellent length and velvety tannins that soften the alcoholic strength..

2005, Valpolicella dell'anniversario.

Bin No

PP5672158

Size

75cl

Price

£19.25

Grape Varieties: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara clone Serego Alighieri.

Wine making: The fresh grapes, which were harvested in October, ferment for 15 days in stainlees steel vats at a temperature of 24-26°C. Then follow racking and the malolactic. In January the wine undergoes a second fermentation (15 days at 18-20°C) using semi-dried grapes of the same varieties.

Tasting notes: Deep impenetrable ruby red colour. Intense and full flavoured on the nose with aromas of all types of cherry – wild and cultivated, fresh and cooked - sweetened by spicy hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

A serious wine on the palate with excellent balance, good acidity ad soft tannins. Cherry and plum flavours with the softness and balance typical of a wine made using the double fermentation method.

2003, Casal dei Ronchi Recioto Classico.

Bin No

PP5672146

Size

75cl

Price

£25.50

Grape Varieties: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara Serego Alighieri.

Wine making: Recioto is the product of the ancient wine making method called "appassimento" (drying of the grapes). At the end of September or the beginning of October, the best clusters of grapes are placed on bamboo racks in the old lofts of the estate where windows and large openings allow a natural ventilation. After at least 3 months’ drying, the grapes weigh 35-40% less and have a naturally enhanced flavour and a higher concentration.

The Corvina is affected by botrytis ("noble rot"). After a delicate pressing and partial destalking of the grapes, the must ferments for 38 days in large Slavonian oak vats, at low, natural temperatures. When racked the wine is sweet, pulpy, intensely fruity and the colour is a brilliant ruby red.

Tasting notes: Deep opaque red colour with faint violet edges, notably high viscosity. Bright and lively on the nose with intense cherry and cooked berry aromas.

Opulent on the palate with flavours of cooked fruit elegantly mingled with a fantastic array of sweet spices. Good acidity on the finish with attractive length provided by the elevated alcohol content.