Allegrini is a renowned family-owned winery based in Fumane in the Valpolicella region of the Veneto, Italy. The Allegrini trace their roots here to the 16th-century. The modern generation began with Giovanni Allegrini. After his death in 1983 his children Walter (the eldest), Marilisa, and Franco took over. Walter looked after the vineyards and had supported his father Giovanni in planting 100% Corvina, unheard of at the time and not authorised by the DOC regulations. On Sunday 20 July 2003 Walter died suddenly aged 55 whilst on holiday with his wife and three children on the island of Elba having suffered a massive heart attack.
Interests: The Allegrini family also co-owns the Poggio San Polo estate in Montalcino and Poggio al Tesoro in Bolgheri.
Red wines
Valpolicella Classico DOC : 2000 Corvina and Rondinella mainly. ‘Without doubt the best ‘Classico’ that Franco has produced,’ says Liberty Wines (Duty Paid List, May 2001). | 2007 60% Corvina Veronese, 35% Rondinella, 5% Molinara. 13%. Screwcap. | 2015 Corvina. 15%. Slightly dusty nose. Evident new oak tannins and flavours in the mouth, competent if not totally compelling (tasted blind for Decanter in London 17 Jan 2019).
La Grola: 1996 Valpolicella Classico. Final vintage of this single vineyard wine as a Valpolicella Classico. It then became an IGT as the Allegrinis had increased the level of Corvina beyond the permitted maximum and refused to put Molinara in the blend when the rules failed to move with the times. | 1997 Debut as an IGT for this single vineyard wine. | 2008 Veronese IGT. L1082. ‘150 anni’. 13.5%. Bretty, heavy, rich, dark, soft at Nick Nicholas’s when dog-sitting 25 August 2017.
La Grola Palazzo della Torre: 1996 Valpolicella Classico. The final vintage of this single vineyard wine as a Valpolicella Classico, after which it became an IGT as the Allegrinis had increased the level of Corvina beyond the permitted maximum and refused to put the obligatory Molinara in the blend but the law had failed to catch up. | 1997 IGT Debut as an IGT for this single vineyard wine. Ripasso was used in its making, according to Liberty Wines Duty Paid List, May 2001.
La Poja: 1997 Valpolicella Classico. 100% Corvina grown on the plateau that sits on the summit of La Grola; late picked, good vintage. | 2006 Monovitigno Corvina Veronese IGT. 100% Corvina. 14.5%. L0158. Bretty at Nick Nicholas’s, Bath 19th August 2017 but some nice if plump modern fruit behind. Not really my style though.
Amarone della Valpolicella, Allegrini: 1997 100% Corvina. Watershed vintage, with the style changing from aldehydic to fruit-driven.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Allegrini: 2012 90% Corvina, 5% each Oseleta and Rondinella. 15.8% alcohol. 120,000 bottles.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Corte Giara La Groletta: 2015 70% Corvina, 30% Rondinella. A dense but smooth Amarone with well expressed tannins that give this wine a lovely flow in terms of mouthfeel and fruit expression. There is a sweetness to the fruit, but this tempered by the savouriness of the tannins. Some old vines in this, I guess (tasted blind for Decanter in London 17 Jan 2019).
Recioto di Soave DOC, Giovanni Allegrini
Other products
Aceto di Vino Rosso. Grappa di Amarone (43%). Grappa di Recioto (43%).
Bibliography
Nicolas Belfrage MW and Walter Ziliani, ‘Walter Allegrini (obituaries)’, Harpers Wine & Spirit 8/15 August 2003 p9.
Contact
Allegrini Azienda Agricola
Via Giare, 9
I-37022 Fumane (VR), Italy
Tel+39 045.6832014 | Website: www.allegrini.it