and more:
• Quintarelli Sampler and Vintage Cases
• The Magic of the Dried Grape
• IWM Monthly Wine Club

A Note from Sergio

The wines of Giuseppe Quintarelli deserve the fervor of Masseto, embody the magic of Fiorano’s Forgotten Wines, and merit the respect of Bartolo Mascarello. I have no doubt that these will be IWM’s fastest selling wines of 2005. They are, after all, the most sought after and hardest to find wines in all of Italy if not the world. I am proud to feature the largest collection of the world’s truest artisanal winemaker highlighted by his 1997 Amarone and 1995 Recioto releases.

For 100 years this small producer from the Veneto has been exporting limited quantities to the U.S. The absolute traditionalist has not changed the techniques set by his father. As those who are familiar with Quintarelli know, he creates miracles in off vintages and legends when Mother Nature shines - and in 1995 and 1997 she did just that, rivaling her efforts of 1990 and perhaps 1976 or 1985. Combine that with the inherent quality of the terroir and the natural talent of this master, whose concept of vintage approval and strict grape selection rivals the great Chateaux of Sauternes. He releases his wines when he deems it appropriate (in exceptional vintages like these he will exceed his standard six years) and lets his wines spend further time in large Slavonian oak casks until they finish all of their fermentations, which is why we are just beginning to see the 1997 Amarone and 1995 Recioto. The end result of this equation is a wine unlike any other in the world.

If you are an enthusiast new to Quintarelli, there is no better way to get acclimated than with the 1997 Valpolicella or 1997 Ca' del Merlo. For collectors you have many great choices accentuated by the Amarone – which he produces only in exceptional vintages; the Recioto – Giuseppe’s passion and what he considers his greatest challenge and achievement; and the Alzero – the rare and brilliant take on Cabernet Franc which I can only describe as Cheval Blanc on steroids. If you want to experience Quintarelli often, then the Primofiore and Bianco Secco are ideal wines for the upcoming season. Please read on below to learn more about the wines of Quintarelli and Amarone as well as the techniques used to create these unique wines.

Due to the limited availability and allocation of these rare wines, please put in your request with Perry Porricelli at 212.473.2323.

All the best,
Sergio

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Quintarelli: Amarone to Recioto

Amarone della Valpolicella
Giuseppe produces his Amarone only in exceptional vintages, and when he does it is the benchmark for all Amarone. This collector's wine comes primarily from the indigenous Corvina along with Rondinella, Molinara, and traces of Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo. A truly stunning wine with great potential for long-term aging. Again, 1990, 1995, and 1997 all represent historic vintages in this region.
1997 Amarone $299.00
1997 Amarone $699.00 (1.5 L)
1995 Amarone $290.00
1990 Amarone Riserva $468.67

Note: The particular bottlings of the 1995 Amarone and the 1996 Alzero (below) are the last barrel selections of these vintages - which Giuseppe himself regards as his best! Please note that only a few bottles remain.

Recioto della Valpolicella
To understand Amarone, you first have to understand Recioto. This wine dates back to the early days of the Venetian Empire and represents tradition in the Veneto. It resembles great vintage Port but is unfortified and differs from Amarone only in that fermentation is arrested earlier, leaving a higher amount of residual sugar and thus a sweeter wine. Giuseppe and others believe Amarone developed as an accident in making Recioto when the sugar fermented fully, creating a dry wine. For Giuseppe, the challenge of Recioto is a labor of love. The 1995 and 1990 Riserva are a collector's dream and represent his best efforts.
1995 Recioto $290.00
1995 Recioto $149.00 (375 ml)
1990 Recioto Riserva $435.02

Alzero
This predominately raisined Cabernet Franc, produced from old vines and made by the same method used for Amarone (appassimento), is Port-like in its richness, density, and alcohol. It is born from grapes of Cabernet Franc and sometimes small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, withered for 5-6 months. The wine is unbelievably rich in color, aroma, and flavor. The unctuous texture reveals dried dark fruit, roasted meats, pepper, and exotic spices. It can be uncorked now but is one for the cellar. Though always labeled the resilient traditionalist, Giuseppe still does experiment. In fact, he is often considered responsible for bringing Cabernet into the region. The Alzero is also the one wine where he will experiment with smaller oak barrels.
1996 Alzero $340.00

Amabile del Cerè “Bandito”
This single vineyard wine made from passito (dried) grapes (Garganega, Trebbiano, Saorin) was first made by accident, when botrytis affected the vineyard, and has only been released a few times during Quintarelli's lifetime. The rare gem is only created in great vintages when the grapes are mostly affected by botrytis and is then "banished" for a decade or so before making an appearance on our shelves!
1990 Bandito $378.12

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Quintarelli: Valpolicella to Bianco Secco

Valpolicella “Monte Ca Paletta”
Old vine Corvina and Rondinella join Molinara and Negrara for this blend that is passed through the sediment of Quintarelli’s Amarone. The second fermentation from the ripasso method gives the wine even more decadence and a glycerol punch. This is one of the greatest Valpolicellas produced and is even superior to many Amarones. If you want to understand the wines of Quintarelli - it begins here!
1997 Valpolicella $76.70
1997 Valpolicella $179.00 (1.5 L)

Ca' del Merlo
This wine is a single vineyard Valpolicella named after a plot of land where a large Merlo (bird) sat perched on a tree overlooking the hillside. It differs from the Valpolicella only in that the grapes come from one specific site and thus the terroir and its influence on the wine are unique. Think of it as Quintarelli’s other Valpolicella to try for comparison.
1997 Ca del Merlo $76.70

Primofiore
More exceptional use of the Veneto trio: Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. 'Primofiore,' here meaning first press, receives treatment from the fresh Amarone to provide rich flavors of cherry, olives, spices, and oak. To be consumed young. This is an ideal wine for the change in season and grilling outdoors.
2002 Primofiore $39.67

Bianco Secco
The master of red makes a stunning white as well, showing deft balance on the floral nose and in the brisk but full palate. It finishes with a seductive hint of dried honey and minerals.
2003 Bianco Secco $34.00

Click to order Quintarelli Valpolicella to Bianco Secco!

Quintarelli Sampler and Vintage Cases

This ultimate wine gift for the collector can rarely be matched. It represents the superior wines of Quintarelli and is the type of offering you would be lucky to find at auction. The sampler is being offered in a six pack (1 of each) or case sampler (2 of each). IWM is also offering the 1997 Amarone and Valpolicella by the case.

QUINTESSENTIAL QUINTARELLI SAMPLER:
Quintarelli 1997 Amarone della Valpolicella
Quintarelli 1995 Amarone della Valpolicella
Quintarelli 1995 Recioto
Quintarelli 1996 Alzero
Quintarelli 1997 Valpolicella "Monte Ca Paletta"
Quintarelli 1997 Ca del Merlo

IWM Quintarelli Six Pack Sampler (6): $1,372.40*
IWM Quintarelli Case Sampler (12): $2,744.80*

IWM Quintarelli 1997 Amarone Case (12): $3,588.00*
IWM Quintarelli 1997 Valpolicella Case (12): $920.40*
*Free delivery in Manhattan
Note: Bottle sizes are 750ml unless noted otherwise

Click to order a Quintarelli sampler or case by fax!

The Magic of the Dried Grape

Amarone della Valpolicella, or Amarone from Valpolicella, is the masterpiece of the Veneto. With its rich flavors of raisins, dried fig, spice, mineral, and tar, it is easy to understand why it was the preferred choice of Hannibal Lechter and is sought by oenophiles around the world. Amarone has long established itself in the high quality rankings of Italian wine, on par with Barolo and Brunello. No other dry wine in the world offers this level of extraction and complexity enveloped by such a glorious, velvety body.

The magical flavors of Amarone emerge from its traditional production techniques. Carefully selected Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes are spread out in single layers to dry on straw or plastic mats for 60 to 100 days. During this time the grapes lose much of their initial water weight, dramatically concentrating their sugar content. The raisinated grapes are then crushed and fully fermented into a heady and robust wine.

To provide the simple Valpolicella normale with some opulence, some producers will choose to use the ripasso method. After the Valpolicella normale is fermented in the usual way, it is placed in casks containing the lees from a prior batch of Amarone or Recioto, a concentrated wine made from Passito grapes. This process, which lasts for 2 to 3 weeks, adds color, tannins, and complex flavors. Another approach in the ripasso method is to "pass" the Valpolicella through the dried skins of the Amarone. Unfortunately, the term ripasso is not allowed on the label, so you need to know producers who make this style of wine.

To learn more about Amarone and her sister wine Recioto della Valpolicella, we recommend the following book dedicated to the subject.

Amarone della Valpolicella (Hardcover, 381 pages) $35.00

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IWM Monthly Wine Club

Here's a great gift for you, or a friend, to learn Italian wine based on your tasting experience. IWM's three wine club "Passports" are designed to suit wine enthusiasts at every level: "Exploration" introduces the novice to Italian wine, "Big Wines" provides bold wines for the enthusiast to share with friends, and "Sergio's Cellar" presents collectible bottles that require cellar aging. Three wines of exceptional quality will arrive each month at your door with producer and tasting notes to contemplate as you taste.

Membership Includes:
- Three Wines per Month
- Prices Well Below Market Value
- Producer and Tasting Notes
- Vino Italiano*
- Six Brunello Wine Glasses*
- Gambero Rosso 2004/5 (Paperback)**
- The Mystique of Barolo (Hardback)**
- Wine Club Welcome Kit
- Free Delivery in Manhattan^

Wine Club Starter Packages (3 months):
Exploration Passport......... $354.00*
Big Wines Passport........... $534.00*^
Sergio's Cellar Passport..... $798.50**^

Click to register for IWM's Monthly Wine Club!