Allegrini's Signature Appassimento Blend — The Art of Drying Between Amarone & Valpolicella

My Wine Man on Allegrini

Allegrini is one of the great names of the Veneto — a family estate with roots in Valpolicella stretching back to the 16th century, and one of the most celebrated and innovative producers in the region today. The family has been instrumental in elevating the quality and reputation of Valpolicella wines on the world stage, and Palazzo della Torre is their most distinctive creation: a Veronese IGT built on the partial appassimento method, where a portion of the harvest is dried on bamboo racks for up to 90 days before being added to the fermenting wine. The result sits beautifully between the freshness of Valpolicella and the concentration of Amarone — a wine of genuine complexity, depth, and character at an accessible price point. Named after the 16th-century villa at the heart of the estate, Palazzo della Torre is Allegrini at its most expressive and approachable.

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Palazzo della Torre is a wine of real harmony and enveloping character. Spicy and woody notes intertwine with fruity sweetness and aromatic depth — ripe plum and cherry blend with hints of forest floor, while balsamic nuances add freshness and complexity. Elegant touches of chocolate, coffee, and liquorice emerge on the finish, wrapped in a refined undertone of iris and violet. The slight sweetness from the drying process is perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity, giving the wine both structure and genuine drinkability. An authentic and enveloping expression of the vintage.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium to full-bodied with the characteristic warmth and complexity of the appassimento method, balanced by bright natural acidity and fine tannins. A versatile food wine — excellent with pasta in rich meat sauces, grilled lamb, aged hard cheese, or charcuterie. Drinking beautifully now, and will continue to develop through 2027–2030.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$219, the 2019 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre delivers the complexity and depth of the appassimento method — from one of Valpolicella's most celebrated family estates — at a fraction of the price of Amarone. This is a wine that consistently over-delivers at its price point, and one of the most compelling Italian reds in the store for everyday drinking with serious food.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2019 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG — the full Amarone expression from the same estate, for those ready to step up in concentration and intensity
- 2021 Cantina di Negrar Valpolicella Ripasso Classico DOC — another Veneto red using the re-fermentation method, from a different producer at a similar price point
- 2018 Casalforte Valpolicella Ripasso DOC — a well-regarded Ripasso from the Valpolicella zone for those who want to explore the style further

Life's too short for bad wine.