Bottle of Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 750 ml, 2013.

Produced in the Valpolicella classica region. Vineyards on gravelly, loamy hills, near the towns of Negrar, Fumane, San Pietro in Cariano and Marano, north of Verona.

A dark, almost inky ruby red colour with rich garnet hues. Bold yet delicate on the nose, it is redolent of ripe cherries, cassis and prunes; hints of milk chocolate, rhubarb and balsamic mentholated tobacco also come through, creating an exquisitely refined, harmonious and elegant bouquet. Tonic and juicy on the palate, it is a ripe, full-bodied wine with extremely lively tannins; an invigorating citrus note perfectly balances its high alcohol and helps make this big wine a most enjoyable drink.

Amarone is made from dried grapes and is therefore a concentrated, round and powerful wine, an elixir of long life. After a few years of bottle ageing, it becomes an excellent complement for luxurious dishes such as jugged hare, roast turkey with truffles, braised beef in red wine, Amarone risotto. When savoured at its peak, it pairs perfectly with ripe, pungent cheeses. A daring combination? Try it with cotechino