Giuseppe Quintarelli - Rosso Del Bepi Veneto Igt 2014

At Quintarelli Amarone is only produced in exceptional years, in “average” years, the wine is declassified and bottled as Rosso del Bepi. In poor years neither Amarone nor Rosso del Bepi is produced. The process always begins with careful selection of grapes during harvest. After the harvest, the grapes sit in wooden boxes or on rush mats, with careful attention paid to the positioning of the grapes so the appassimento, or drying process, can occur naturally. After harvest and appasimento, the grapes are pressed at the end of January and after 20 days of maceration, alcoholic fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts, lasting 45 days. The wine is then racked and aged in Slavonian oak barrels for seven years. Alcoholic fermentation continues during this aging period creating a dry wine. The blend of grapes is typically 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Nebbiolo, Croatina, Sangiovese. This is the closest you will get to the magnificence of a Quintarelli Amarone without spending $400 or more! Approachable on release, better after 3-4 years, drinks great for a decade or more!