Valpolicella Classico - Paolo Cottini

The Valpolicella Classico DOC by Paolo Cottini is the wine that tells the story of the Valpolicella in the most direct and honest way possible — no appassimento, no refermentation, no wood: just Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella from the Classico zone vinified with respect and drunk young, as they were on Veronese farms long before the market pushed the race towards power and concentration.

Paolo Cottini is a small artisan producer in the Valpolicella Classica who tends his vineyards with family dedication, producing a coherent range that runs from the Classico base through to the Ripasso and the Amarone Classico — three faces of the same territory, three different interpretations of the same grapes. The Classico is the everyday table wine, what Veronese farmers put in a carafe every evening — but in the hands of a serious producer it becomes something more: a characterful, fresh and drinkable red that respects the territory without trying to impress with artificial structure or concentration.

Vinification is simple and respectful: fermentation with brief skin maceration to extract colour and aromas without tannic excess, no wood, 5 months of stainless steel ageing that preserves all the fragrance of the fresh grapes, followed by 3 months in bottle. The colour is brilliant, luminous ruby red. On the nose it is fragrant and inviting: fresh cherry, raspberry, blackberry, red flowers and a herbaceous note typical of quality young Corvina from the Classica zone. On the palate it is light and fresh, almost refreshing — barely perceptible tannins, a lively acidity and a clean, brief finish with notes of fresh red fruit. A wine to open immediately, without overthinking, served slightly cool at 16-17°C.

The Valpolicella Classico that proves wine does not always need to be powerful to be good.

5,000 bottles. Vintage 2024.