When the question is asked: who were the greatest vignerons of the 20th century, names like Henri Jayer, John Daniel, Jr., Max Schubert, Paul Pontellier, Jean-Claude Berrouet, Bruno Giacosa, Helmut Donnhoff, and Giuseppe Quintarelli, spring to mind, amongst many others. Some have since left us, while others are still going strong. What they have in common is raising the bar – either pushing terroir already known to be great to reveal an even higher potential, or pioneering new land, or new techniques, often bringing to new international audiences wines that hitherto enjoyed only local success.

Giuseppe Quintarelli (1927-2012) was one of the greatest. He left behind perhaps the finest Amarones ever made – the 1990 Riserva vies for position as my all-time favourite wine of any kind. But paradoxically, as a real traditionalist in style, Quintarelli also pioneered, with ‘Alzero’, his Amarone-styled Cabernet Franc.

I invite you to join me on 16 May for this little exploration, this little celebration for one of two reasons: firstly, if you know these wines already you may well click ‘reply’ to book before getting to the end of this email; but secondly, I hope that the chance to discover something ‘new’, something a little quirky but very high quality, may prompt others to come join too.

Wines to be served:
2017 Bianco Secco
2006 Valpolicella Classico Superiore
2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore
2005 Alzero Cabernet Franc
2001 Alzero Cabernet Franc
2003 Amarone della Valpolicella
1998 Amarone della Valpolicella
1993 Amarone della Valpolicella
1990 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Riserva
2004 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
2003 Amabile del Cerè Passito Bianco