Bertani

Throughout the course of history there have been a large amount of Italian wine producers, all looking for ways to create the best wine possible using the land and tools that are available. While this fosters a healthy spirit of competition that has enabled the Italian winemaking industry to continue reaching new heights, there is also a certain amount of respect involved when a producers manages to craft a particularly fine wine. In the end, all winemakers want the industry to continue producing superb wines, regardless of who actually produces them.

The Bertani house has long maintained a reputation for creating particularly great wines. Based in Verona, which is one of the most prestigious winemaking areas in the entire country, the company has excelled for more than a century and is today recognised as one of the foremost producers or red wine in Italy. Here we will take a look at the company’s history and how they came to be respected as one of the foremost winemakers in Italy.

The History

The Bertani wine company has roots that date back more than a century, with the company itself being founded in 1857 by a pair of brothers named Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani. They set up shop in an area known as Quinto di Valpantena, which is in north Verona, and quickly set about applying their knowledge to the creation of great wines. They were particularly helped by the fact that Gaetano had studied under the great Professor Guyet in France, learning the essence of crafting great wines which he then carried over to his own work. That, combined with a spirit of innovation that enabled the pair to experiment with new ideas, led to the creation of completely unique wines that not only heralded the dawning of a new age but also made sure to respect the traditions of the land and the area from which the wines originated.

It didn’t take long for word to spread about the superior quality of the wines produced by the Bertani wine company and the two brothers quickly built a stellar reputation in the Verona area. In particular, the quality of their wines and the professionalism that they brought to the industry caught the eyes of many. This was combined with a sharp eye for business and it wasn’t long before the brothers realised the potential of the international markets. This led them to becoming one of the first companies to start exporting their wines to foreign territories, which required large-scale investment in vineyards and cellars to allow them to bottle and export their product. From their base in Italy, the Bertani soon found that their wines were gaining popularity and they even had a foothold in the United States by the end of the 1800s.

This innovative attitude to wine production mirrored the sentiments of the Italian people, particularly due to the fact that the country was finally being unified during this era. The new Italian nature boasted a rich and diverse history that the country rightly took pride in, especially in regards to their wine production, and it wasn’t long before the great Italian winemakers were being recognised for their contributions. Bertani’s day in the sun came in 1923 when the company was issued with the Royal Warrant from the Italian Royal Family in recognition of the achievements that had made in a fairly short time period. While Italy has moved on from the days of the royal family, this is still a symbol of excellence that the Bertani winemaker is extremely proud of.

The link to royal families doesn’t end there either. We mentioned previously that Bertani was one of the first Italian winemakers to recognise the potential of the international market, so much so that the company’s amazing Soave was on the menu during the coronations of King George VI of England.

Today the company continues in its search for the utmost in quality when it comes to Italian wine. It purchased the amazing Villa Novare in the mid-20^th century and produced the remarkable Amarone, which has quickly garnered a reputation as being amongst the best wine to ever come out of Italy.

The company is also a founding member of the Unione Italiana Vini, making them an authority on the production of wines in the country. Bertani takes this responsibility seriously and continues to innovate and produce great wines, much like they did so many years ago when two brothers combined to create a new force in the wine industry. Research and the development of great new wines will always be at the forefront for the company, whose reputation only continues to expand as time goes on.

Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Valpantena 2011

While Amarone is perhaps the most famous drink to be produced by the Bertani winemaker, it is most certainly not the only wine of note to make its way out of the producer’s cellars. The Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Valpantena 2011 in particular is recognised as a great vintage and one that has received plaudits all over the world for its quality.

This sweet red wine is made using withered grapes, lending it a unique taste, and has been recognised for its quality by being granted the DOCG label to show that this is a one of true splendour that must be experienced to be believed.

Featuring a violet-red colouring that is captivating to the eye and hints at the intensity of the wine itself, the Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Valpantena 2011 is a treasure trove of aromas and notes. To the nose you will pick out a multitude of scents, with hints of plum, raspberries and cherries being accompanied by the likes of vanilla, hay and various spices.

To the taste the wine improves even further and you will be pleasantly surprised by the intensity of this full-bodied drink. The aftertaste of fruits, chocolate and liquorice is just the icing on the proverbial cake, making this a wine that deserves a place in anybody’s wine collection.