Posted on March 10, 2019March 10, 2019 by Renee WitthoffAmarone Della Valpolicella Corvina Blend 2014 by Antiche Terre Venete Origin: Veneto, Italy Grape: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella Year: 2014 Alcohol: 15% Price point: $29 Year Reviewed: 2019 This is my second Amarone to blog on that is very reasonably priced for an Amarone. Yes it is young, but most Amarone’s list for at least $55 to $85 per bottle. So if you have never tried an Amarone, check on the ones on my blog (as they are great for the price) and take the plunge now to purchase or try one at a wine tasting. You will be amazed. Amarone wine is very special as the grapes go through a special drying process, unlike other wines. If you are familiar with how chocolate is dried in the sun, this is very similar to the process. In winemaking, the process is called “appassimento” and this process can take about 3-4 months.Amarone’s are high in alcohol and acidity and usually are handpicked grapes. Fun fact: It takes 25 labs of grapes to make a bottle of Amarone. That is incredible. No wonder they are higher priced. Wine is then fermented for over 15-30 days and then placed in stainless steel vats and finished off in small oak barrels for about 12-18 months. This Amarone lives in a lovely black and gold-labelled bottle with a cupid type of emblem on it. Even the casing or wrapping around the cork is embellished with gold, making me feel what a wonderful bottle of wine I just purchased. What a beautiful gift this would be for someone who loves wine and has never tried an Amarone!! Deep garnet red colored in the glass (use a deep red wine glass). On the nose, I experience strong aromas of cherry, raspberry and sugar….brown sugar. On the palate, oh my, as I experience a smooth, velvety chocolate cherry flavored glass of concentrated wine. I do get tastes of cherry, raspberry, brown sugar and figs. If you are a Port drinker, you should try some Amarones.