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Degani

Veneto

About the Winery

Since the early 1900’s generation after generation of the Degani family have dedicated their efforts to growing grapes on this estate. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that they began producing and selling wine locally, and then in 1988 began international exportation.

Azienda Agricola Degani is still a family run operation, all activities from growing and picking of the grapes, to winemaking, bottling and selling are conducted by members of the Degani family.

Degani is the exception rather than the norm in the Valpolicella area – it’s a rarity to find such a boutique family-run operation that still grows, produces and bottles entirely from their own vineyards. With the retirement of father Sante Degani in 1980, the younger family members assumed responsibility. Still today, Aldo and Luca Degani handle the winemaking and Zeno Degani is responsible for the vineyards.

After some time their hard work started to be rewarded: starting in Italy from 1996, then beyond the Alps in Switzerland and Germany and finally also in the U.S!

Veneto

For almost 3,000 years, starting with the ancient Greeks, people have enjoyed wine made using grapes from Valpolicella. The Valpolicella viticultural area spans a considerable chunk of western Veneto, stretching north into the hills above Verona for approximately ten miles, and east to west for more than twice that distance, linking Soave with Bardolino. The hills here rise more than 600 meters (2000ft) into the fresh sub-alpine air, creating a patchwork of aspects facing in every direction and making the most of the northern Italian sunshine. Because standard Valpolicella wines have traditionally tended towards the lighter end of the spectrum, local winemakers have employed various techniques to achieve greater depth and complexity in their cuvees. Standard Valpolicella is quite different from the district's Ripasso, Amarone ("big bitter") and Recioto ("little ear") wines. The passito and ripasso methods have been so successful that both techniques now have dedicated DOC or DOCG designations. For a passito wine - Amarone or Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG - the grapes are dried out for weeks or even months prior to fermentation, during which time their natural sugars and flavors become sufficiently concentrated to produce deeper, more alcoholic wines. The Valpolicella Ripasso method - awarded DOC status in 2007 - is to "re-pass" (re-ferment) the passito grapes with standard Valpolicella wine, creating a deeper, more character-laden result. source:wine-searcher.com

Vineyard(s)
The harmonious union of territory, plant and cultivation technique is the origin of wines known around the world, from those that bear the name of the Valpolicella valley itself to the famous Recioto and Amarone. Wines of these qualities are the result of careful selection of the grapes from these vineyards. 40% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone and the remaining 10% composed of other varieties: it seems an alchemical formula and perhaps it really is, a formula that allows the fruit to be transformed into a chalice tasted all over the world.
Ratings & Reviews

Degani

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Valpolicella Classico 2023

92

Intense and vinous nose of strawberries, raspberries and pepper. The super-tense palate is crisp and tight, with chalky yet ripe tannins, a light to medium body and a savory, peppery finish. Drink now.

Degani

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Valpolicella Classico 2022

91BB

BEST BUY! Crushed red cherries, juice dripping down the cheeks and wild flower aromas permeate the glass of this red. Well balanced with fine tannins and zippy acidity that shines with raspberry and red currant flavors balanced by fresh herbs and black tea notes on the finish.

Degani

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Valpolicella Classico 2022

89

The 2022 Valpolicella is distinctly savory in the glass, displaying a burst of wild herbs and white pepper that gives way to crushed blackberries. This is nearly salty with minerality, as silky textures usher in tart wild berry fruits and hints of sour orange. It finishes with medium length and a cranberry crunchiness that lingers on.

Degani

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Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 'La Rosta' 2019

93

A nicely structured Amarone with plenty of fruit-compote character that blends well with the spiciness from the oak. Full-bodied with a velvety texture and plenty going on through the long finish. Drink or hold.

Degani

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Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2019

92

Bright, medium deep ruby red; aromas of stewed cherry, currant, sundried tomato and hints of molasses and oregano. Medium-full, with very good concentration, this has a rich, well balanced mid-palate, very good acidity; medium-weight, non-aggressive tannins and good persistence. Offering excellent harmony and very good typicity, this is approachable now and will drink well for 6-9 years.

Degani

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Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2019

90

Red plums, raspberries and oak on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with a tight palate and more oak than fruit flavor. Lightly abrasive, rather drying tannins. Drink now.

Degani

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Valpolicella Classico 2022

89

Floral nose, offering violets and roses, together with ripe berries. Medium-bodied with a silky palate and a hint of powdery tannin at the end. Drink now.

Degani

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Valpolicella Classico 2022

88

Bright, medium deep ruby red; aromas of marascino and Queen Anne cherry; red poppy, thyme and a hint of allspice. Medium-bodied with good ripeness and good acidity; moderate, well-integrated tannins, restrained wood notes, good complexity. Well-made, this is a straightforward, very approachable Valpolicella to be enjoyed over the next 2-5 years.

Degani

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Valpolicella Classico 2021

89

Wild cherries and macerated strawberries dusted with cocoa and wild herbs pour from the glass of this fun wine. Plush on the palate with ripe red fruits, with mixed herbal and tobacco notes finishing with fresh acidity.

Degani

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Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 'La Rosta' 2019

90

Brooding aromas of baked plums, dried fig, chocolate shavings, clove and anise leap from the glass of this lush Amarone. The palate is rich but well balanced with sour red plums mixing with the darker fruit notes ending with espresso grounds, violets and tilled earth. Drink now–2035.

Degani

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Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2019

89

Aromas of plums cooked with allspice, black pepper and savory herbs permeate the glass of this classic Amarone. The palate is lush and full in body with blackberry compote at its core with subtle floral and savory notes on the plush and easy finish.

Degani

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Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 'Cicilio' 2019

92

A rich and delicious red with cherry, berry and some walnut undertones. It’s medium-bodied with soft tannins and a flavorful finish. Very typical. Drink now.

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