Preparing for Vinitaly International Academy: Ian D’Agata Meets the Amarone Family
Verona, Italy (PRWEB) January 28, 2014 -- Last week a private tasting took place in the heart of the Valpolicella hills, just outside Verona, during which all eleven historical producers of the famous Amarone Family proudly explained to wine expert Ian D’Agata the characteristics, differences and distinctive elements of their wines in preparation for the upcoming inauguration of the newly founded Vinitaly International Academy. “Amarone, the velvet underground: treasures to be shared” will be one of the three exclusive Master Classes to be held by Doctor D’Agata and presented to key players of a wine-savvy US market on the occasion of this year’s edition of Vinitaly USA in New York.
The “Famiglia dell’Amarone d’Arte” was originally founded back in 2009 by 10 historical producers of the Valpolicella area with the aim of preserving and promoting on international markets the tradition and quality of one of the finest red wines in Italy, the Amarone. The need for an association made itself felt in the face of an ever-increasing problem of overproduction and the drop in minimum production standards, which inevitably brought on a decrease in the quality of the red wine. For this reason the association today is regulated by strict rules and requisites to which all producers must submit in order to become a member of the Family.
”One of our distinctive traits is that we are all family owned wineries, with our own land and vineyards. The story behind each label is the story of each family, its philosophy and tradition," explains Sabrina Tedeschi from Tedeschi winery. “The project of the 'Amarone Family' was born from the need to promote and preserve the quality of a wine that is the expression of our territory and a symbol of the Valpolicella and Veneto region.”
The preview tasting offered the Amarone Family producers the opportunity to compare notes and exchange ideas about production methods, the choice of grape varietals and the ever-frequent question producers are often called to answer concerning the choice between traditional or innovative production techniques.
What surfaces is the profile of a “family” composed of single individuals each with his or her own unique trait and philosophy but united by a common passion, determination and a strong belief in the work of the association. In the words of Stefano Cesari of Brigaldara winery: “By staying together, tasting together, speaking and travelling together… we grow”.
The diversity of all eleven wines will be presented to an American audience of wine experts and journalists during the inaugural edition of Vinitaly International Academy by Doctor D’Agata, Scientific Director of the new project: “Amarone is truly one of the most unique wines of the world. Now that is often said about all wines when trying to make a point, but the fact is Amarone REALLY IS unique...for it is the only major red wine in the world that is the product of an air-drying process.
"Amarone is also a wildly interesting wine for many other reasons. Wines can be very different from one another, depending on the production area (those made in the Marano valley are very different from those made in the val d'Illasi, for example), on the different percentages of local grapes used in the blend, on the presence of noble rot or not... There is a secret world to Amarone’s greatness that few truly grasp or know about, and this Advanced level VIA Masterclass aims to really help people get to the core and to a fuller understanding of the uniqueness of Amarone.”
About:
Veronafiere is the leading organizer of trade shows in Italy including Vinitaly (http://www.vinitaly.com), the largest wine event in the world. The 47th edition of Vinitaly counted some 148,000 visitors (+6%), of which 53.000 were international attendees (+10%) visiting from 120 countries. On 95.000 square meters, 4.200 exhibitors welcomed trade professionals, media and producers alike. The next installment of the fair will take place on 6th- 9th April 2014. The premier event to Vinitaly, OperaWine (http://www.OperaWine.it) “Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers”, will unite international wine professionals on April 5th 2014 in the heart of Verona. Veronafiere also created Vinitaly International in 1998 to develop a global platform for the promotion of companies in the Italian wine and food sectors.
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Gianni Eliani & Francesca de'Stefani, Vinitaly International, http://www.vinitalytour.com, +39 458101447, [email protected]
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