Verona, Italy
Tommasi is a family viticultural company founded in 1902. The estate is run by the 4th generation of the family, nine members working together in complete harmony, each with his well defined area of responsibility. It is situated in Pedemonte, in the heart of Valpolicella Classico region, a small piece of land in the North – West of Verona, between the plains and Lessini mountains and near Garda lake
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Arele Appassimento
| SKU | 203539 |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Verona |
| Type | Red |
| Varietal | Blend - Corvina, Oseleta, Rondinella, Merlot |
| Listing | Specialty |
| Case Config. | 12x750ml |
| Available In | BC AB SK MB |
Colour
Intense, deep ruby red.
Aroma
Very fruity, rich, spicy, black pepper nose.
Flavour
Full body, very intense, spicy, smooth, full of flavors.
Food Pairing
White and red meats, game, fresh and aged cheeses.
More Info
This wine is produced with the typical indigenous grapes the Valipolicella Classico area, Corvina and Oseleta, and in the traditional "Appassimento" method. Appassimento means "drying process". "Arele" is the local name of the traditional wooden trays where the grapes are laid down and semi dried prior to being gently pressed.
Daenna Van Mulligen, Nov/2022
2017 -
"This Arele is from partially (parziale) dried Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot grapes. These grapes have been set out on traditional wooden trays to dry, thereby increasing intensity and resulting in additional weight and concentration. Expect notes of cedar layered with dried rose petals, pipe tobacco, dried cherries, vanilla and balsamic. The palate is powerful and supple with notable generosity. Cherry, wood shavings, fine spice, chocolate and espresso flavours dominate the palate It has a long, smooth and grapey finish."
Daenna Van Mulligen, winescores.ca, Oct/2020
2016 -
"Concentration, plush, texture. Tommasi is a family wine producer that specializes in wines of the Veneto, which is where they were established in 1902. But they also make wine in Lombardy, Tuscany, Basilicata and Puglia. This Arele is from partially (parziale) dried Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot grapes. These grapes have been set out on traditional wooden trays to dry, thereby increasing intensity and resulting in additional weight and concentration. The aromas here are plush; cherries and star anise, warm chocolate and tealeaf, wet cedar and hints of balsamic. It's fleshy but has some angularity this vintage; red cherry, tealeaf, wood spice and hint of espresso line the palate. The entryis smooth but grows more textural mid-palate across finish. It has a pleasing classic bitterness on the finish making it a good pairing with aged Italian cheeses, game or pastas with hearty ragus."
Gismondi on Wine, Jan/2020
2016 -
"This appassimento blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot comes from estate hillside vineyards in the Valpo region. 30% of the grapes are partially dried on the wooden trays called Arele, for 60 days prior to fermentation, 10 months in Slavonian oak, and 2 months in French tonneaux prior to bottling. Dark cocoa, baked plums and perfumed mulberries flood the palate of this soft, plump red, with downy tannins and a big bump of sweetness noticeable on the pressed, warming finish."
James Suckling, Oct/2017
2015 -
"Ripe strawberries combine with black fruit such blackberries as well as brambles and fresh herbs and hints of coffee beans. Medium to full body, juicy tannins and a pretty finish. Drink now and enjoy."
Wine & Spirits Magazine, Feb/2018
2015 -
“Lively acidity lends succulence to this wine even as sinewy tannins cinch its red-berry and blood-orange flavors. About one-third of the grapes (primarily corvina, with oseleta, rondinella and merlot) are air-dried for three weeks to concentrate the flavors, yet the wine feels juicy and vibrant, with notes of subtle spice and cool green herbs.”
Wine Spectator, Web Only 2018
2015 -
"Tangy dried cranberry and orange zest notes are layered with dried herb and baking spice accents in this aromatic, light and bright red. Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 800 cases imported."
Natalie MacLean, Nov/2016
2014 -
"Peppery red berry fruit and a supple smooth texture. Medium to almost full-bodied. A lovely, balanced example of the Appassimento style that concentrates flavours but doesn't make the wine heavy. Very savoury. This robust Italian red wine takes its name - Arele - from the wooden trays that were traditionally used to dry the grapes, or a portion of them, to make Appassimento wine. The 2014 vintage has intense dark red fruit and polished tannins. Pair with grilled meats. Food pairings: cheese pizza, veal, beef, tagliatelle alla Bolognese (pasta), chicken herb-rubbed roast."
Wine Align, Sept/2016
2014 -
"Sweet fruit but with enough acidity to hold it together. Finishes on a slightly butter, smokey/ashen note."
Daenna Van Mulligen, winescores.ca, Dec/2015
2013 -
"Concentration, plush, liqueur. Made from partially (parziale) dried Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot grapes. These grapes have been set out on traditional wooden trays to dry, thereby increasing intensity and resulting in additional weight and concentration. The aromas here are plush; cherry jam, plum cake, sweet chocolate, leather and espresso. It has a supple weight with plenty of mocha, vanilla and dried cherries - almost liqueur-like. Good overall balance, length and freshness."