Recioto Della Valpolicella 2019 (Stefano Accordini)

Drink now or cellar for up to 11 years. Serve lightly chilled. The story of the Stefano Accordini estate begins back in the 1900s when Stefano’s father, Gaetano, made wine as a share cropper. In the 1970s share cropping contracts were abolished in Italy and Stefano was able to buy the family’s first vineyard called Il Fornetto in the Negrar Valley. In recent years the estate has been taken over żeby Stefano’s sons and grandchildren who have expanded into the Valpolicella Classica appellation The estate’s Recioto Della Valpolicella is crafted using time-honoured techniques which transform the ripe Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes into a lusciously sweet dessert wine. The finest grapes are carefully selected and left to dry for a period of 120 days to concentrate the sugar content and flavour compounds. The must then undergoes a fermentation process which is stopped when an acceptable alcohol level has been reached. The result is a richly sweet wine with a generous full body and intense flavours of cherries soaked in brandy, figs, dark chocolate, and molasses. Thanks to the high sugar content, this is an ideal partner for desserts like chocolate fondants, fruit cakes, and sticky toffee pudding. It can also be served on its own slightly chilled as a charming alternative to dessert.