The Valpolicella region is a beautiful hilly countryside to the east and to the north of Verona. The Azienda Agricola Brigaldara, about 15 acres, is located in San Floriano, near Verona. The recently renovated and stately mansion has been the property of the Cesari family since 1928. Lately Stefano Cesari has bought parcels in diverse sub-regions of the Valpolicella, extending the family domain unto about 35 acres.
At the end of the nineties, Stefano Cesari decided to stop the production of the (more expensive) Valpolicella Superiore. His intention was to offer, next to the Amarone, only one basic quality Valpolicella wine, well structured but nevertheless very accessible, to be enjoyed at the family table. A completely successful initiative, as far as we are concerned.

Since Stefano Cesari has ceased to make Valpolicella Superiore, his Valpolicella Classico is clearly playing in a higher league. The classic red assemblage of the region, with Corvina, Rondinella and Corvinone, completed with very small quantities of Molinara and Sangiovese, ripened on inox. Despite its resemblance to the Bardolino, the wine has a completely different expression: deep red, an intriguenly and almost earthly flavour of blackberries and cherries, a full flavour, very "corsé" with lots of lorberry, a long and velvety ("velutato") finish. The velvet is due to the "ripasso" technique, according to which the Valpolicella is refermented on the marc of the Amarone.
An absolute value-for-money killer.

The Amarone is considered as one of the top wines of Italy, at the same level as the top Tuscans or the top Piemontese. It is valued for its bundeling of power and Burdundy-like softness. For its creation the same varieties are used as for the Valpolicella Classico (Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella), but after harvest the selected grapes are dried. After fermentation (around Newyear) the wine is ripened during at least two years on oak barriques. This results in an unknown concentration and a ripening potential of more or less 30 years. Attention! Unlike the Recioto, the Amarone not a sweet but a dry strong wine (16°!), to be drunk with game or hard cheese.
A deep, ruby color. An extraordinary ripe aroma, with lots of red fruit and tabacco, very inviting. Flavour is velvety, layered and with very fresh tannines. A very rich wine with a beautiful future.