This is a benchmark Amarone. It’s produced by Masi – a byword for quality in Italian wine, and it’s a serious wine. Amarone is one of the most regulated DOCGs in Italy. Producers aren’t even allowed to pick their grapes until they’re given official say so – so it takes special determination to go above and beyond in pursuit of quality. But Masi make it look effortless. Every step of making the wine is just that little bit more luxurious. The grapes are dried on special bamboo racks. They’re then fermented for an extraordinary eighty days – about double the standard time – and matured in Slovenian oak. The result of all this effort? There’s really no other word for it – it’s sumptuous. Packed with dried red fruit flavours and savoury spice – it’s ideal with aged cheese like Gorgonzola.