Amarone is made by an old and unforgiving method. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara are picked in September, then laid out on racks in open lofts until January or February, losing something like a third of their weight to evaporation before they are pressed. What ferments is concentrated to the point of being almost a different substance — dry, dense, high in alcohol, tasting of dried cherry, bitter almond and wood smoke.
The label reads Recioto Amarone because that was the legal name in 1980. Amarone della Valpolicella only became a denomination in its own right later. Classico means the original hill zone north-west of Verona, the oldest and best part of the region.
Wines made this way age on a longer clock than most Italian reds. A 1980 from a cold cellar is genuinely still a wine rather than a relic, though after forty-six years it will be dried and savoury rather than fruity.
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Producer: Scamperle
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Wine: Classico
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Vintage: 1980
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Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
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Format: 75cl
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Region: Veneto, Italy
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Style: Red
Where it is likely to be now. The drying process and the high alcohol give Amarone unusual staying power, so this is one of the better bets of its age, but expect a mature, nutty, oxidative style rather than fresh fruit.
Who it suits. An unusual choice for someone born in 1980 turning 46 in 2026, and a genuinely different one if they have been given Bordeaux for every previous birthday.
Condition. No merchant condition line came with this bottle, so the label, capsule and fill are inspected here and the condition report confirmed to you before it is dispatched.
Provenance. Bought to order from a professional European merchant. We check fill, label and capsule when the bottle reaches us and photograph it before it ships.
Delivered in 7 to 10 working days, tracked. Transit cover can be added at checkout.
Sold as a collectible item, as seen. No guarantee is given on drinkability.
