Everyday Elegance – Carlo Venturini and Alessandra Zantedeschi's Classic Valpolicella
Carlo Venturini and Alessandra Zantedeschi of Monte dall’Ora explore the full range of wine styles within Valpolicella. Among these is a true everyday wine: a classic Valpolicella. While this style often struggles to gain recognition in the region, viewed by some as the “fifth wheel,” a handful of dedicated winemakers like Carlo and Alessandra are redefining its potential, showing that even the region's foundation wines can be deeply enjoyable.
Their Valpolicella comes from carefully selected limestone-rich terraced vineyards around Castelrotto and San Pietro in Cariano. Like all their vineyards, these are cultivated biodynamically. The grapes are hand-harvested in late September into 20-kilo crates, spontaneously fermented, and aged for several months in cement and steel tanks. The result is an uncomplicated yet delightful wine, with aromas of ripe cherries, mint, and violets. On the palate, it is fresh, vibrant, inviting, soft, cool, and precise—a perfect introduction to Valpolicella’s charms.
Specifications
- Grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara
- Vineyard: Various limestone-rich terraced sites around San Pietro in Cariano
- Harvest: By hand
- Fermentation: Spontaneous with wild yeasts
- Aging: Several months in steel and cement
- Filtration: None
- SO₂: < 25 mg/l
- Alcohol: 12% vol.
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving Temperature: 15–17°C
- Optimal Drinking Window: Now – 2027
- Volume & Price per Liter: 0.75L (€21/L)
Philosophy
All winemakers featured at Vinonudo employ sustainable vineyard practices, using compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations while avoiding herbicides, pesticides, and artificial fertilizers.
