Amarone vs Valpolicella – Difference and Comparison

What is Amarone?

Amarone wine is one of the most popular wines in Italy. Wine consumers love to drink Amarone because of its perfect blend of ripe fruit and especially its proper alcoholic effect on the drinker.

Originally, the name was differentiated from Recioto, which was produced in the same region, Valpolicella and Sweeter. Since ancient times, in Valpolicella, notable wines have been produced, but before 1953, the wine namely, Verona was not merchandised as Amarone.

It is said that Adelino Lucchese was the one who created the label Amarone wine in the year 1936. In December 1990, this wine was assigned the status of the DOC or Denominazione di Origine Controllata. According to 2008, the total production volume sold was 8.57 million bottles, including Recioto.

Earlier, grapes or berries were dried on bamboo racks or wooden crates. And the remaining concentrate, sugars, and flavors are followed by water evaporation I.e similar to the production of Vin de Paille wine.

Modern Amarone wine is produced in special drying chambers under clean and supervised conditions. This technique helps prevent fungus. Grapes’ skin is one of the important concerns as it helps in the color and intensity of flavors to the wine.

The drying process is of 120 days but can differ according to the quality of the harvest. After the drying process, the grapes are crushed in dry, at low temperature followed by a fermentation process nearly for up to 30 to 50 days. After the fermentation, the wine undergoes a period of aging for about two years. The process takes place in wooden barrels and good quality wine is obtained.

What is Valpolicella?

The Valpolicella produces one of the best Valpolicella wines. Valpolicella wine is made with the same grapes, which are used in producing Amarone wine. The winemakers make use of Corvina berries mixed with a small amount of Rondinella grapes and Molinari liquor.

Valpolicella means “vault of many cellars.” The region resembles a cellar of grapes after all it is a wine-making area. Valpolicella wine was originated in the year 1968. Valpolicella has a much lower alcohol content than Amarone. I.e up to 11%.

At the end of fermentation, Valpolicella retains sugar and imparts sweetness, Valpolicella wine is made from grapes grown in the original production area of Valpolicella. When it comes to Valpolicella Superiore, it is aged for at least one year. Valpolicella Ripasso is made from grape skins, which are dried to a certain extent and leftover from the fermentation process.

Valpolicella offers a range of wine styles, all made from a blend of Rondinella, Corvinone, and Corvina grapes. The winemakers could also be Orseletta and Molinara. Each winery has a specific recipe that corresponds to a specific terroir.

Valpolicella wine is made to be fresh and youthful and show the grape’s pure essence. Archaeologist Stefano De Stefani from Verona first delineated the winemaking area of Valpolicella in 1881 and documented all the traditional methods used there.

Main Difference Between Amarone and Valpolicella

1. Amarone wine was originated in the year 1938. Whereas Valpolicella wine was originated in the year 1968.
2. Amarone wines taste dry or semi-dry. And flavors of black cherry brown sugar and chocolate, on the other hand, Valpolicella wines are sweet and made up of Corvina berries mixed with a small amount of Rondinella grapes and Molinari liquor.
3. Amarone contains high alcohol content in the wine. It is about 14.5 to 15.5%. whereas Valpolicella has a much lower alcohol content than Amarone. I.e up to 11%.
4. Amarone is best used in 7-15 years whereas Valpolicella is the best In 3-5 years.
5. Amarone wine can be consumed along with meat dishes, like bolognese or oxtail stew. WhereasAnd Valpolicella wines can be paired with burgers, pasta, pizza, and grilled steaks.

Comparison Between Amarone and Valpolicella