Costa Arente celebrates 10 vintages. A journey made of growth and awareness raising. Ten years in which the corporate identity has taken shape and technology has assumed an increasingly important role in protecting origin and originality. Sissi Baratella tells us about it.
SQNPI (National Quality System of Integrated Production) certified, Costa Arente conducts vine cultivation in respect for biodiversity, with grassed rows and protocols both in the countryside and in the winery that are as minimally invasive as possible.
The story and the team
It was 2015 when Costa Arente with its 42 hectares, 18 of which are planted with red grapes, joined the world of Genagricola and then of the Winged Lion Estates. Leading a young and motivated team is. Giovanni Casati, oenologist and technical director, in turn supervised by the consultancy of Riccardo Cotarella.
Costa Arente is located in Valpantena, a subzone of Valpolicella north of Verona. Valpantena and Classico are the two subzones allowed in Valpolicella. Valpantena, the name also implies, also corresponds to one of the 11 valleys that characterize Valpolicella. All are arranged from north to south, more or less parallel to each other. Green lung of Valpolicella, is not a very long valley but rich in biodiversity and productive realities.
Three business pillars
Outlining them was Igor Boccardo, CEO Winged Lion, first of all the Consistency, stylistic and productive; a style and production in function of each other. Then the Territory, between what it offers and what it makes possible. Finally, the Tradition, with wine produced in accordance with the culture of the place.
In the ten years since its acquisition, the company has grown in the direction of adherence to these three principles, hand in hand with the advancement of technology and its skillful use.
The Valpantena
If for the Classico subzone there is no shortage of mentions on the label (and they account for an impressive 3,656.06 hectares out of the appellation’s total 8,613.73), when it comes to Valpantena it is more difficult to see it mentioned (only 244.48 hectares total). Yet its importance as an area is beyond doubt.
Among the green lungs of the appellation, here the vineyards easily climb to 300-350 meters above sea level. They enjoy differing exposures, sudden changes in terms between day and night and constant ventilation from the north. Abutting the woods of the overlying Lessinia, the valley is of medium width reaching the city of Verona within 8 km.
Its identity in the chalice is not easy to identify; it is certainly multifaceted. It exploits the balsamic sensations that emerge more easily in this area, combined with that elegance and verticality guaranteed by lean and white soils. To conclude comes the method that sometimes fills in, embellishes, refines and gives recognizability.
The Amarone I’d Like
After a vertical of Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena, from 2016 to 2020, we can say that the direction is the right one. The new vintages previewed have really shaken up production, while still managing to stay true to an idea of territorial wine.
If you had to give a title to theAmarone Costa Arente 2020 That would be the “Amarone I would like.” Recognizable, it remains an important wine and yet so contemporary to drinking.
The jump from 2019 to 2020 and from 2018 to 2019 for Amarone Riserva is a true statement of intent. Watchword: fruit. Always present, with clean, clean scents, then giving way to the complexity of balsamic notes and those more related to roasting. Balance between alcohol, acidity and some residual sugar that I am sure will give satisfaction in bottle aging. Then there is the Riserva.
A role-play that between Amarone and Amarone Riserva really well done where the former gives way to the latter; stronger, impactful and amazing. A true Reserve in short, an independent wine clearly superior in structure, alcohol, persistence and impact to Amarone. Both wines are the offspring of projects that are born in the vineyard, take shape in the fruit cellar and winery, destined to be celebrated from bottle to glass.
Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena Riserva 2019 Costa Arente
Score: 96/100
Average price: € 90,00
Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella withered. Matures 3 years in tonneau, 1 year in Slavonian barrel.
Intense ruby. Nose with notes ranging from rose petal to tobacco leaf. Increasingly textural gives sensations of peat and coffee, then overripe black fruit overtakes. The palate is balsamic, salty. With a lingering, clean finish and powerful tension.
Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena 2020 Costa Arente
Score: 94/100
Average price: € 50,00
Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella withered. Matures 2 years in tonneau, 1 year in Slavonian barrel.
Ruby with slightly garnet rim. Concentrated nose between red fruit and sweet spice. A few notes of acacia honey. The palate is spicy in places, vibrant and savory. Lingering acidity makes for a three-dimensional taste experience.
