“Capitel Fontana” Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2021 dolce

Tedeschi | Veneto
Agricola F.lli Tedeschi s.r.l. | Via G. Verdi | IT 4/A | IT 37029 Pedemonte

03182421 · 0,375 l · 98,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

In the 6th century AD, Cassiodorus, minister to Theoderic, King of the Ostrogoths, wrote to the treasurer of Venetia requesting a supply of a special wine for the royal table: the Acinaticum. He described it as "of such a regal colour that one might believe purple itself had its origin in it" – a wine "so dense that it is meant to be eaten rather than drunk". This forerunner of today's Recioto was already the result of the appassimento technique that continues to characterise Valpolicella to this day. The Tedeschi family, rooted in Valpolicella since 1630, preserves this heritage at Capitel Fontana.

The name refers to the Monte Fontana vineyard above Pedemonte, whose label features an ancient well arch – a subtle reference to the place from which the ancestors once gathered their finest grapes. The east-facing vineyard, covering just one hectare, is situated on red clay and limestone of morainic origin. Here, 25-year-old vines are trained using the traditional pergola method: Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, each accounting for 30 per cent, supplemented by 10% of indigenous rarities such as Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara and Dindarella. In late September and early October, the grapes are harvested by hand and dried for four months in the fruttaio under controlled humidity. The gently pressed grapes ferment for 30 days at a cool 15°C until fermentation comes to a natural halt – not interrupted, but exhausted by the concentration of sugar. Two years in Slavonian oak complete the ageing process.

An intense ruby red with garnet highlights in the glass. The nose reveals a lush bouquet of sweet fruits: raspberry, wild blackberry and blueberry, interwoven with the spicy, woody nuances of oak ageing. On the palate, with 134 g/l of residual sugar, a sweetness emerges that never feels heavy – the 5.2 g/l of acidity keeps everything in elegant balance. The finish is long and satisfying: an echo of the fruit that lingers. Perfect with dry cakes such as Sbrisolona or Cantucci, chocolate desserts, wild berries or a creamy Gorgonzola dolce. SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich ruby red. On the nose, notes of cold butter, fine wood, ripe cherries and incense. On the palate, there is a powerful presence of wood; the fruit remains in the background. Full-bodied and rich in tannins; it definitely needs a little more time to mature." Falstaff

"Fragrant and floral, showing rose hips, blood oranges, rosemary, thyme and plenty of lush berry fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity and firm tannins framing the moderately sweet palate. Drink or hold." James Suckling