PALAZZO DELLA TORRE IGT 2011
Appellation: Veronese I.G.T.
Grape varieties: Corvina Veronese 70%, Rondinella 25%, Sangiovese 5%
The territory: Valpolicella Classica
Vineyard location: Fumane di Valpolicella – Palazzo della Torre
Altitude: 240 metres (787 ft) above sea level
Exposure: East/ Southeast
Soil characteristic: Varied, but mostly clayey and chalky
Training system: Pergola Trentina
Average age of the vines: 41 years
Density of the vineyards: 3,000 vines/ hectare (1,214 vines/acre)
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
Harvest: Manual harvest during the first week in September of grapes to be set aside for drying; end of September for grapes to be vinified immediately.
Vinification: The fresh grapes were de-stemmed and pressed in September while the dried grapes underwent the same process in the second half of December.
Fermentation: In temperature controlled stainless steel tanks
Fermentation temperature and duration: 1st Fermentation: 25-29° C (77-84°F)/10 days, 2nd Fermentation: 8-22°C (46-72°F)/approx 15 days
Malolactic fermentation: In mid-April in barriques
Ageing: 15 months in second-use oak barriques, blended together for 2 months and then bottle-aged for 7 months
ANALYTICAL DATA
Alcohol content: 13.85% Vol
Total acidity: 6.1g/l
Residual sugars: 5.4 g/l
Dry extract: 31.9 g/l
Free SO2: 23 mg/l
Total SO2: 92 mg/l
pH: 3.71
VINTAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Seasonal development was excellent this year, with ideal day-to-night temperature ranges that effectively preserved the aromatic properties of the grapes until around the 10th of August. The scorching heat wave in the following two weeks had a damaging effect on the grapes that were more exposed to the sun and therefore we immediately set about removing these bunches. The approximately 50 mm (2 inches) of rainfall in late August/early September were a godsend and enabled the vines to recover their vigour and the weather to improve, with a return to day/night temperature ranges similar to those experienced previously. After analysing the grapes, we decided to commence harvesting at the beginning of September. This vintage will exhibit fine extracts together with a broad and intense range of aromas. The wines will therefore be broad and intense on the nose, enabling us to say that the harvest in Valpolicella Classica – whilst a little early and with a 10% lower than average yield – is one of the most promising in recent years.
TASTING NOTES
This is one of the wines that has made Allegrini famous throughout the world. The vineyard surrounds Villa della Torre, a splendid masterpiece of Renaissance architecture now owned by the family, and produces a full-bodied red wine that has an ageing potential of at least ten years. The blend is the historic combination of Corvina and Rondinella with the addition of a small quantity of Sangiovese. A small percentage of the harvested grapes are left to dry out until December and then added to the previously vinified fresh grapes. The result is a velvety, well-balanced red wine that proffers mature, pulpy fruit.
FOOD PAIRINGS
This wine is a deep ruby red and easily pairs with various Italian dishes, above all risottos, especially those flavoured with saffron, porcini mushrooms and pork; classic dishes such as pasta with Amatriciana and Carbonara sauces, baked lasagna, gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts; grilled meats and roasts. This wine also excels when matched with Parma ham and fine-cured Zibello pork loin, as well as medium-matured cheeses, especially Parmigiano Reggiano, pecorino and Monte Veronese.
The delightful aroma of raisined grapes is enhanced if the wine is served at 18° C in a large wine glass.