2021 Massimago ‘Duca Fedele’ Valpolicella DOC
This lighter bodied example of Valpolicella helps us transition from the lemon butter sauces of summer, to the red sauce/creamy mushroom sauces of fall. The bright red fruit keeps it refreshing, while the savory and herbal elements give it depth. This is our gaux-to Italian red for the season.
Certified organic farming practices, hand-harvested, native yeast fermentation, minimal sulfur addition, woman-winemaker, and only 1,250 cases produced.
- Tasting Notes strawberry, cherry, dried herbs, bay leaf, white pepper, balsamic
- Variety 65% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella
- Region Italy, Veneto
- Volume 750ml
- Alcohol Volume 12.5%
- Table Talk The label portrays characters in search of an author. "Traces of you are in every bottle." To Camilla, wine is creativity if you can free your imagination.
Massimago is derived from the Latin “Maximum Agium” which means, the maximum level of well-being. The estate, which is located in the Mezzane Valley, in Eastern Valpolicella, has been owned by the Cracco family since 1883. In 2003, Camilla Rossi Chauvenet took over her mother’s vineyards and property and started her own winery, Massimago. Camilla had studied Agronomy at the University of Padua, so she was well-versed in making wine, but not so much in the creation of a winery. Having good land was a blessing, but with no production facilities or equipment, she had to put everything she had into this endeavor… including her car, which she had to sell to afford a tractor. It is without a doubt that Camilla’s indomitable will has brought her to where she is today.
The Massimago property covers 69 acres, with an elevation of 330 – 1,000 feet above sea level. In 2008, Camilla converted the entire property to organic and was fully certified by 2014. She only uses her own grapes for the production of her wine and vinifies only traditional varieties of Valpolicella. Massimago is very unique in the area as it has it’s own Fruttaio on top of the hill. The Fruttaio is made with recycled wood and arranged to assure the constant airing of the grapes, to prevent humidity stagnation and to permit the gradual change of temperature. A wine relais also lies on the Massimago property for those looking to taste and stay the night. However, there is but one rule… “Leave your anxiety and your shoes at the gate.”
VALPOLICELLA, VENETO, ITALY
Valpolicella, to the northwest of Verona, also has a foothills designation versus the flatter south. The wines will be labelled as either Valpolicella DOC or Valpolicella Classico DOC (foothills). The main grape is the black variety, Corvina. Corvina has a thin skin, moderate color, high acidity, but low-medium tannins. Ever hear of Amarone della Valpolicella? This is a certain style used in winemaking within Valpolicella, made from the Corvina grape, that increases structure and flavor concentration. The Amarone style will be fuller-bodied, high alcohol, increased tannins, and strong concentration of berry and spice flavors.