“I wasn’t quite paying attention to the brilliant, ruby red wine I was being poured. I took a sip… I was stopped in my tracks.”
September 2022 at the wine media conference in Desenzano del Garda, Italy, we were being served lunch at the hotel. Typically a winery or group of wineries will sponsor the lunch and they are each delightful in their own right. We had enjoyed so many, many wonderful wines that week that I was actually focused instead on the wonderful conversation with several brilliant wine writers sitting at my table. I wasn’t quite paying attention to the brilliant, ruby red wine I was being poured.
I took a sip of the wine almost automatically, and I was stopped in my tracks. I tasted again and I immediately dialed in. My palate was delighted! Smooth velvet, red cherry, blackberry, spice, chocolate. They were from Bertani in Verona, Italy.
The Director of Wine Operations, Andrea Lonardi then spoke. He was a delight, well spoken, fantastic history lesson, welcoming and passionate. Andrea oversees the winemaking teams for each of the wineries under the Bertani umbrella, including Bertani (Veneto), Puiatti (Friuli), and TREROSE (Tuscany). I had to bring this incredible, special wine home.
Last night I poured the same wines, several months later, and I was once again wowed. More than that, my clients were in love! My favorite of the two wines is the 2020 Ripasso DOC “drink now or age” Ripasso stunner.
**Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso DOC 2020**
Delicate on the palate, red cherry, blackberry, bramble, spice, chocolate, very smooth, delicious, lively- Ooohs and ahs. It was great with grilled chicken and roasted vegetables.
Bertani Ripasso combines the richness, flavor and texture of Amarone along with the freshness and vibrancy of Valpolicella.
Valpolicella 2021
This wine was lovely, light on the palate, delicate, red plums, tart cherries, cranberry and spicy cinnamon and a touch of pepper. There is a buttery element that was lovely, acidity and savory richness. This is a drink now, almost like Beaujolais.
You can find Bertani’s wines through Wine Searcher: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/bertani+ripass+valpolicella+veneto+italy/1/usa-nh-y
Bertani was recently named winery of the year: https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2022/10/12/bertani-is-named-winery-of-the-year-in-the-gambero-rosso-guide-italian-wines-2023#:~:text=Grazzana%2C%20Italy%2C%20October%2012%2C,and%20most%20relevant%20Italian%20wines.
A little about Bertani:
- Bertani is synonymous with Amarone
- 150+ year history is dotted with groundbreaking initiatives and royal accreditation.
- While respectful of their past, Bertani strives towards innovation, using progressive techniques and equipment allied with extensive experience and a deeply felt respect for tradition to provide wines of uncompromising quality.
- Bertani Ripasso combines the richness, flavor and texture of Amarone along with the freshness and vibrancy of Valpolicella.
- https://www.taubfamilyselections.com/producers/bertani
- @TaubFamilySelections
