Zeni Costalago Rosso Veronese 2013
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2020-
James
Suckling -
Wilfred
Wong
-
James
Suckling -
Wilfred
Wong
Sitting in the hills of Bardolino, the Zeni family has spent the last 150 years dedicating themselves to producing some of the finest wines in Verona. With land holdings of 60 hectares of vines, the family operates two wineries, one located in Bardolino and the other in Valpolicella. Zeni’s world renowned wine museum also drives attention to the company, receiving over 100,000 visitors a year.
Since 1870 the Zeni Family have been dedicated to growing and producing classic Veronese wines. Fausto, Elena and Federica run the business following in their father Gaetano ‘Nino’ Zeni's footsteps. Ideally situated in the heart of the region they have the pick of the bunch from the long-term contract growers they deal with to help supplement their own production. They now manage 25 hectares of vineyards. Only the best grapes can result in wines with such a distinctive character that are true expressions of a unique terroir.
Since 1991 the museum, conceived and realized by the owner Gaetano Zeni, was meant to offer evidence of the ancient winemaking culture the Zeni family is committed to for generations. The museum also aims to take visitors on a fascinating journey around the world of wine while learning about its history. The museum is divided into thematic areas, each dedicated to a different stage of the long and complex wine production process, from the growing of the vine to the harvest, from the grape processing to the bottling phase.
Zeni has recently built a new wine cellar. This cellar is a structure that combines old tradition functionality with the modern. An impressive vaulted roof anchored on strong columns and a terra cotta floor represents this cellar. In this structure, you will find the oak barrels, barriques, and tonneaus. Their wines age in the perfect condition of humidity and temperature at the cellar.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Part of the greater Veneto wine region, Verona, the city, is the capital of Italy’s wine trade, hosting the country’s most important wine fair, Vinitaly, each year.
Everyday-drinking red and white blends can also be bottled under the heading Veronese IGT or IGP if they are comprised of approved Veneto grape varieties. Typically for reds, these include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Corvinone and Merlot among others. For whites, the approved grapes include Chardonnay, Friulano, Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Trebbiano and others. Rosato can also be labeled in this way with the same varieties approved for red blends. These wines represent an affordable introduction to the wines of the area.