Amarone Opera Prima 2026

The first of the major wine tasting events of the new year, for me, starts in Verona the beginning of February.

This year, to accommodate ceremonies of the Winter Olympics taking place in Cortina, the venue has changed to the outskirts of Verona.

The event’s emphasis is on Amarone 2021 vintage and if the wines of Tuscany and others wine regions of Italy are a pointer, this is going to be a perfect opportunity for a classic release.

Exhibit at the magnificent Palazzo Maffei Casa Museo, Verona

As always, the most important contributor to the vintage was the weather: Winter was warmer than previous years, then the first of the major weather pattern changes arrived in April, with very low temperatures and frost, which was not widespread but affected some vineyards delaying bud break and reducing productivity. May was extremely wet, over 100mm of rain fell in 10 days in some areas, which again brought down temperatures and delayed flowering which usually occurs at the end of May. By this point the temperature started to rise dramatically and winemakers were on full alert: the threat of powdery mildew ensued. Summer months were drier than usual. Hail was recorded in July. August was very hot and dry. September tended to be cooler and the vines were assisted by favourable daytime temperatures.

Generally berry weight was higher than recent vintages, especially for Corvina. Cooler than average September and October allowed for a slower entry into the drying lofts, therefore the resting phase was slower. Albeit, Rondinella dries faster than Corvina, Corvinone showed slower drying in prevailing cooler conditions.

All of this revealed itself in wines that are balanced, woven, deep, elegant and structured, with extended aging potential, and yet, ready from immediate consumption. I can also add most have a vertical aromatic complexity, alongside fresh acidity that lifts the palate.

Alcohol levels were down on previous editions. I would compare this vintage in terms of quality with 2016.

On a high note; the shift towards sustainability in the vineyards has increased to well over 50% now using certified practices.

In an unfavourable wine sales market, exports to Canada, Sweden, UK and Germany are up by a approximately of 5% on previous year.

The Amarone Opera Prima 2026 event program was held over two days and commenced with a Masterclass from J.C.Viens (pictured above), entitled “Back to the Future”: The major point of this highly informative and insightful class was to take stock of the culture of this wine region, including close analysis of rituals, ecosystem, precision and quiet reinvention.

In short, future of wine is in its history. For example, laying down the grapes to rest is a ritual, not technical but cultural. This requires patience and restraint, knowing when not to intervene. It’s the transmission of traditional experience, preserving a relationship with time.

He went on to state: Traditional sustainability is a driver of this territorial expression. He then defined the changes through the centuries that wine has been produced in this region, exposing the transformations led by modern expectations that have taken it to the present day driving production away from its traditional course.

Acknowledgment:

I wish to extent my deep appreciation to the Consorzio per la Tutela Vini della Valpolicella through their President Christian Marchesini for their kind invitation to this year's event. A special thanks goes to the Head of International Relations Nicola Padovano who, with his team once again, organised an amazing event. T.W.

Tasting Notes

Boscaini Carlo

San Giorgio

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium ruby red in colour. Floral aromas of violet, lilac and lavender. Blackcurrant, blackberry jam, cherry and mild spice. Upon entry, shows energy and linear in format. Following air intake opens up to behold a core of ripe fresh fruit, mineral structure and sweet accents. Loiters on the close.

Points 93 TW

Ca’ La Bionda

Ravazzol

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Pale ruby red in colour. Aromas of red blossom florals, black berry fruits and liquorice. Blackcurrant, blackberry, sweet tobacco, mild herbal nuances, exotic spice and candied orange peel. On the palate, open and balanced. Medium textural density, juicy, agile and appealing.

Points 94 TW

Cantine Giacomo Montresor

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium purple in colour. On the nose a mix of exotic spice, dark forest fruits, white smoke, blackberry and oriental fragrant tree bark. Wild cherry, cranberry, blackcurrant, salty liquorice, underbrush and mild balsamic notes. Warm entry, saturates the palate. Balanced, linear. Completely seduces the imbiber. Massive textural depth and volume. The energy is tangible and hauntingly long.

Points 97 TW

Costa Arènte

Valpantena

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium ruby red in colour. Aromatic profile consists of violet, lilac and wisteria florals. Red and dark berry fruits, salty liquorice and grilled herbs. Bing cherry, cranberry, plum, orange peel, cinnamon and clove make an appearance, cedar and mint notes. Warm entry, enveloping wine, wave after wave of layered liquid fruits. Balanced. Persistent. Linear. Buckets of energy. Broad articulated finish.

Points 95+ TW

Domini Veneti

Collezione Pruviniano

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Aromatics of damp leaf litter, pomegranate, blood orange, oaky vanilla and mild spice.

Bing cherry, fig, prune, blonde tobacco notes, leather and a whiff of roasted coffee beans. Pin point acidic tension rules the palate. Structured mixture of crunchy, fresh tannins and crushed stone minerality, holds all in place and makes its way to a broad, juicy finish. Shows class and pedigree from the start. Needs 2 to 3 years to relax and come together.

Points 94-96 TW

Domini Veneti

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Aromas of red and dark berry fruits, floral underbrush, rose petal, lavender, violet flowers, liquorice, vanilla and mild spice notes. Captures the imbiber upon entry, just announces itself in a quiet, almost restrained way. The quality of all the elements is a testament to exceptional winemaking.

Points 97 TW

Le Guaite Di Noemi

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium ruby red in colour. Aromas of fig, prune, cherry and heady red florals including red rose petal. Rainier cherry, redcurrant, pomegranate, mild spice notes, savoury and earthy. Warm entry, expands rapidly across the palate. Integrated zesty acidity with fresh tannins. Showing textural depth and volume. Broad and long on the close.

Points 93-95 TW

Novaia

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium ruby red in colour. Red floral notes interplay with red fruits, mild spice, floral earth and cotton candy nuances. Bing cherry, cranberry, redcurrant, blood orange, lifted rose florals, candied orange peel and white pepper. Rich textures abound on the palate, alongside sweet accents. Tingling acidity acts as a counter balance to the rich body. Loiters on the close.

Points 95 TW

Roccolo Grassi

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium ruby red in colour. Red berry fruits abound, rose petal, beetroot, peony florals, sweet scented spice, essence of citrus, cedar and French mint notes. So expressive and silky on entry, layered, complex and beguiling. Classy and vibrant. A liquid pleasure bomb. Hauntingly long on the close.

Points 98 TW

Santa Sofia

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium ruby red in colour. Red and dark purple florals, mild spice notes, grilled herbs and roast meat nuances. Blackberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, wild cherry, clove and orange peel. Warm entry, solid berry fruit core, crushed rock and stone minerality. Following air intake opens up on the back end showing luscious layered intent.

Points 93 TW

Secondo Marco

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG2021

Pale ruby red in colour. Aromas of red blossom florals, red berry fruits, exotic spice and sea pebble minerality. Bing cherry, plum, pomegranate and liquorice. Pulsating with energy. Tight and polished. Fresh mellow tannins vie with zesty acidity. Persistent from start to finish.

Points 94 TW

Tenuta Villa Bellini

Centenarie

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Medium purple in colour. On the nose, plum, spring flowers and tart cherry, candied citrus peel. Lime leaves and white smoke. Red cherry, orange curaçao, bitter dark chocolate and distant ginger root. On the palate, concentrated and warm. Secondary notes of prune, fig and dark spice. Lingers on the close. Two personalities. Very intriguing.

Points 93-95 TW

Valentina Cubi

Morar

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Bright pink in colour with garnet red undertones. Crushed spring floral petals, white cherry, mild sweet spice, essence of citrus, dry forest floor and pine needle nuances. Wild cherry, plum, raisin, warm liquorice and slate minerality. On the palate, juicy, agile and lightly textured, fresh, clean and linear. Chewy tannins and vivid acidity both assist in structure and energy respectively. Long and broad on the close.

Points 94 TW

Villa della Torre

Marilisa Allegrini

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Pale garnet red in colour. Aromatics have closed down. Distant cherry, floral earth and citrus notes.  Mulberry, dewberry, liquorice and woodland scents. On the palate it paints a light stroke, juicy and lightly textured. Citrusy in character at present. Leaves a tingling, clean, fresh sensation on the close.

Points 92 TW

Zýmē di Celestino Gaspari

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2021

Intense ruby red in colour with pink undertones. Subtle aromas of cherry, wild dark forest berries, red rose petal, orange peel zest, warm liquorice and grilled herbs. Bing cherry, blackcurrant, plum, white smoke, Mocha and floral earth. On the palate almost weightless but leaves the most intense, structured and layered imprint. The tannins are made from silk thread. A new intensity of sweet acidity. The back end is linear and totally focused. Long, juicy and articulated on the finish.

Points 98-100 TW

© Tony Wood Italian Wine 2026