January is dedicated to the rediscovery of the “Broccoletto di Custoza,” a vegetable that grows exclusively in a very small area around Verona. This vegetable has been promoted by the Slow Food association, which supports niche food products at risk of extinction, with the aim of preserving biodiversity and local traditions. The Custoza DOC Wine Consortium has therefore decided to further enhance this product by organizing an event, “Saturdays of taste in winery: Custoza Doc e Broccoletto”, that combines the tasting of Custoza DOC wines with specialties prepared using this precious vegetable, the Broccoletto .
During the month of January, 8 Veronese wineries from Custoza area will give the opportunity to their guests to experience their wine making proposal, all combined with dishes made with the local “broccoletto”. Among the participant wineries, we can find some familiar names such as Gorgo and Monte del Frà: two wine realities that take part of our prestigious Guide “Verona Wine and Olive Oil Tourism”.
A taste of Custoza: two wineries from our Guide
Gorgo winery offers a fully experience that combine wine and amazing landscapes, with its amazing design: an extended rectangular space open to the sky, in which tasting wines takes place inside a reinterpretation of the rural architecture type that has been present in the Veneto countryside for centuries. The territorial identity, the enhancement of the local varieties and the guarantee of healthiness of their grapes inspire the company to produce wines faithful to their roots but with a modern and eclectic appeal.
On the other hand, Monte del Frà winery (Winner of the BEST OF WINE TOURISM 2023 for the category “Innovative wine tourism experiences”) carries on its tradition with their third generation, pursuing values such as commitment and respect for its territory by cultivating vineyards in the renowned areas of Custoza, Lugana, Bardolino, and Valpolicella Classica. The family give an important attention not only to manicured landscape, high-quality wines and warm hospitality, but also to organize cultural and sustainable activities such as temporary exhibitions that follow each other throughout the year.
Here the link for further information and to discover the remaining wineries that participate to the event.
Amarone della Valpolicella preview: the tasting after a long waiting
The wine experience continues within the walls of Verona with another event that will take place into the amazing rooms and high ceilings of the Gran Guardia Palace situated in the hearth of the city centre : Amarone Opera Prima (1st and 2nd February, 2025). This occasion will reveal the year 2020 of Amarone della Valpolicella, one of the most important and famous DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) red wine of Verona.
The Amarone della Valpolicella is made from Corvina (45-95%), Rondinella (5-30%), and other authorized grape varieties, subjected to drying. Vinified dry, it achieves a high alcohol structure (14-16% vol), with complex notes of dried fruit, spices, and velvety tannins. The grapes intended for Amarone production undergo a drying period of about 3 months, with vinification allowed starting from December 1st. From September, the wine is transferred to oak barrels for a minimum aging period of 2 years, calculated from January 1st following the harvest, equivalent to 3 calendar years. For the Riserva version, the minimum aging period is 4 years, counted from November of the harvest year. In this special edition, the centenary of Consorzio Vini Valpolicella will be celebrate, which started its institution from the 1925 till these days. Opera Prima gives the chance to wine lovers to taste a selection of Amarone della Valpolicella from the 2020 harvest , served with typical dishes.
Photo Credits: Gorgo / Monte del Frà / Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella