Worth Trying at Any Cost

Amarone Cantina di Soave 2007

The comparison with Ludi and 57
The last wine in our mini review is certainly not last in the popularity ranking.
This Amarone produced in the Veronese area sits at the top of the mini price ranking, surpassing both the 57 by Moio and the Ludi by Velenosi.
The wine in question, winner at the International Wine Challenge in London, is produced by Cantine di Soave, a prestigious establishment that has received multiple awards at the same competition in other categories as well, including silver medals.
A different drinking occasion compared to its predecessors (covered in previous articles).

The CADIS line
This wine belongs to the CADIS special classics line, which includes a wide range of white and red wines designed exclusively for the modern retail channel, among which we find Soave, Valpolicella, Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto in various consumer-friendly options.
It is a wine of very ancient tradition, already celebrated by poets and writers of the Roman era. It is still produced today in artisanal form and in limited quantities using the grapes of the Valpolicella – corvina, rondinella and molinara – left to dry for 4 months on drying racks before being vinified.

The ideal setting: food pairing
Many pair it with elaborate meat dishes, but it is also excellent with aged cheeses and (especially) outside of meals, to share with the people we love.
My "encounter" with this wine came after a lunch of meats and various side dishes; an hour after the meal, a friend joined us bringing this most welcome gift.
A tasting of various cheeses (including my beloved parmigiano!) and artisanal cured meats such as fennel-spiced dried pork salsiccia were the perfect companions for this red wine alongside the crackling wood in the fireplace: I would call it the ideal setting!
I recommend it with flavorful meats such as capretto, venison, and wild boar, preferably oven-roasted.

Before tasting it
The label is a black that somewhat evokes silver – refined and elegant, just like the product we are discussing.
It should be uncorked at least an hour before serving and left to breathe.
It should be served at a temperature between 18 and 20 degrees to fully appreciate its delicacy and flavor.

A wine that must be savored
A wine not for everyone, suited to connoisseurs and the fairer sex. A delicate yet intense aroma conveys a powerful but subtle sensation. We can appreciate balsamic notes, aromatic herbs, licorice and cocoa.
The palate barely notices its 14.5° alcohol content; on the palate it presents as smooth and refined, full-bodied and very well-balanced, with light, well-integrated tannins. Rest assured that your taste buds will be pleasantly impressed to the point of drawing the glass back to your lips.
Do not be put off by the first sip – let yourself go with the second, and perhaps the third, before judging it in all its sumptuousness.

The bitter note: the price

I was taught that one should never talk about money and prices at the table, as it is the bitter note that ruins the enjoyment of a meal. So I always wait until the end of the tasting to discuss the price – but only because it is my duty to do so. In this case, no choice was more fitting, since CADIS Amarone della Valpolicella Cantina di Soave belongs to a mid-to-high price range, positioned between 29 and 45 euros.