From: Valpolicella, Italy
Blend: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
Taste: This lovely, chillable red wine is fresh, zesty, and youthful. You’ll love it if you like wines from places like the Loire Valley, Beaujolais (and youthful Piedmont Nebbiolo!), and grape varietals like Gamay or Pinot Noir. You’ll find notes of fresh cherries, rosy florals, wild raspberries, and a hint of baking spice. The palate holds a silk-smooth texture, complemented by good acidity and a lingering finish that leaves a memorable impression— especially when chilled slightly.
Pairing: It's a wine that shines as an aperitif. The wine's fresh and young character makes it a perfect companion for cold cuts, young cheeses, and white meats. This Valpolicella's soft tannins and bright acidity allow it to enhance the flavors of stir-fried chicken, grilled cheeseburgers, and roasted summer vegetables, adding a touch of sophistication to these casual dishes. This Valpolicella harmonizes wonderfully with pizza, classic pasta, poultry, and simple (non-rich sauces) beef dishes for those who enjoy classic Italian/Italian-American cuisine. Its light body and tannins make it one of the few red wines that can adeptly accompany seafood or salads. To fully appreciate its qualities, serve it at a temperature of 15 - 18 °C, allowing the wine to express its full range of flavors and aromas.
Pasta Alla Vodka
By Colu Henry
About: Corte Scaletta, a family-run farm in the verdant Marcellise Valley, is just a stone's throw from the historic city of Verona. Established as a vineyard in 2011, Corte Scaletta is a testament to the family's deep connection to the land and their commitment to producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the Valpolicella DOC region.
The vineyards of Corte Scaletta are nestled in an idyllic setting, shielded by surrounding mountains and hills that create a microclimate ideal for grape cultivation. The estate sprawls across the pristine landscapes of Marcellise and the Musella estate, where traditional grape varieties like Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella flourish alongside a smaller vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The vineyard employs the Guyot training system, ensuring a low grapes yield per plant. This method is instrumental in encapsulating the essence of these autochthonous varieties, which are the cornerstone of the celebrated Valpolicella DOC Superiore and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wines.
In line with sustainable agricultural practices, Corte Scaletta shuns chemical herbicides. Instead, they maintain the natural grasses that thrive among the vine rows, contributing to a balanced and healthy ecosystem. This harmonious relationship with nature is reflected in every aspect of their vineyard management, from the careful hand-selection of grapes to the meticulous cutting of grass under the vines using specialized machinery.
Corte Scaletta's cellar is a hub of traditional wine-making, where grapes undergo natural drying and gentle processing to preserve their aromatic qualities. The winery's dedication to quality is evident in every production phase, ensuring that the wines produced are authentic expressions of their origin.
The winery is proud of its strong local identity, using only grapes from its vineyards and overseeing every production stage with passion and expertise. This dedication extends to their environmental responsibility, with Corte Scaletta utilizing 100% renewable energy, thanks to their collaboration with Enegan and a solar power plant integration.
The Valpolicella wine region in Italy is unique for producing four distinct wine styles - Valpolicella, Recioto, Amarone, and Ripasso - all from a similar blend of native grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara. By regulation, Valpolicella DOC wines must contain 45-95% Corvina, with Corvinone substituting up to half of Corvina, adding a rounded cherry flavor. Rondinella, accounting for 5-30% of the blend, imparts floral tones, while Molinara, used sparingly, brings a crisp acidity. The resulting Valpolicella wines are vibrant and balanced, with tangy sour cherry notes.
The 2020 vintage is a remarkable blend With a composition of 40% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, and 30% Rondinella, this wine is a testament to the meticulous selection and hand-picking of grapes in small 5-6 kg crates. The vinification process carried out in stainless steel vats, includes a cold maceration phase and slow, spontaneous, controlled-temperature fermentation, contributing to the wine's unique character. At 13% alcohol content, it strikes a delightful balance between potency and drinkability.