2021 Vintage Edition Secco, Bertani

This is Bertani reaching back into its own history. The Secco Vintage Edition recreates the original “Secco-Bertani” recipe from the 1930s — a dry Verona red that predates the modern Valpolicella blueprint. That's why it doesn't taste like a textbook Valpolicella: it's built on around 80% Corvina with Sangiovese Grosso, Syrah and a little Cabernet Sauvignon, and bottled as Rosso Verona IGT.

The wine spends about eighteen months in large traditional Veronese casks of chestnut and cherry wood, then six months settling in bottle, landing at a very drinkable 13%. It pours ruby with garnet edges. The nose is generous — blackcurrant and blackberry jam, cacao, and a real lift of spice: black pepper, clove, nutmeg. The palate is full-bodied and firmly structured, with red fruit, cherry and an intriguing black-tea note running through. There's history in the glass, and it drinks brilliantly.

Ready now, it will happily hold for five years or so.

How to Serve

Serve at 16–18°C in a large glass. Thirty minutes' air, or a short decant, brings the spice and fruit forward.

Where to Drink It

Bocca di Lupo for a regional Italian match. Or Trullo in Islington, whose kitchen suits a spicy, structured red like this.

Food Pairings

Braised beef with polenta. Or a rich mushroom and sausage ragu over pappardelle.