THE KING OF ITALIAN WINES!!!!!

Amarone della Valpolicella

The name simply slides across the tongue. Big, bold and beautiful in nose, flavor, color and finish. Known as The King of Italian Wines: You will find this to be a wine that works well with full bodied, rich Cheeses, such as a Stilton or a Cabbazolla to Beef Wellington or even spaghetti and meat balls.

The reason that this wine is so perfectly balanced and so very fruit forward is the special way in which it is made. The grapes are harvested ripe and in loose clusters to allow air to circulate as they are laid out on straw mats and allowed to dry. We are not talking about a desert wine from grapes with Noble Rot or Botrytis Mold, but a dry and fruity wine where the residual sugars and fruit are concentrated and the process yields a marvelous creation.

The method of this type of wine production is called Appassimento and has been used since Ancient Roman times at least. Produced in the Valpolicella region it has been lauded as the private domain of Nobles and Kings by Virgil, Seutonius, Pliny the Elder and now by Valentino! ;-)

Over the Years I have enjoyed many vineyards and vintages of this lusciously produced wine
and have shared it with many friends, but here is my special tip for one of the finest and it is available at Trader Joe's for all you Nobles:

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from the Estates of the Conte Di Bregonzo

The original price point was $9.99 per bottle, but I have purchased so much of it over the years I think I may very well have helped to push it up to $14.99 but it is SOOOOOOOOO worth it. I find it comparable to $80.00 plus bottles and you will not be sorry when you try it I assure you.

To Find out other places where this superb wine is carried visit www.santinifoods.com and see if you can find the 1998, 1999 or 2002 vintages which were just wonderful. I have a Jeroboam of the 2002 I am eyeing right now.

Sweet Dreams and Bon Nuit,

Stephen