At a glance

Producer

Giuseppe Quintarelli

Region

Veneto, Italy

Grape variety

Corvina Veronese (main), Rondinella, others

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$250-$350

Tasting profile

Pronounced dark cherry, dried herbs, leather, smoky oak; layered and intense

Evolution: Will soften tannins and gain more tertiary aromas like truffle, forest floor, and dried flowers

At peak: Complex, richly textured, and harmonious with long savory finish

Structure

Acidity

Balanced, fresh acidity typical of quality Veneto reds

Tannins

Firm but ripe, supporting long aging

Alcohol

14.5%

Aging potential

Excellent 20+ years, can evolve gracefully over 30+ years in ideal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2048

Optimal window

2026 to 2051

Current status

Approaching early maturity

Current condition

Youthful with developing complexity; tannins still firm but approachable with decanting

Giuseppe Quintarelli's Alzero is a top-tier Veneto red famed for longevity and elegance. The 2016 vintage, a warm and balanced year, is structured to develop tertiary complexity from about 10 years after vintage. Optimal drinking window reflects the wine's tannic backbone, moderate acidity, and quality oak integration, allowing several decades of evolution.

Food pairing

Pairs beautifully with rich Italian dishes: braised meats, aged cheeses, mushroom risotto, and game

Serving

Serving temperature

18°C / 64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To open up the complex aromatics and soften the firm tannins

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Uses manual harvesting, minimal intervention in cellar, natural yeast fermentation, careful waste management

Giuseppe Quintarelli emphasizes quality vineyard management with attention to ecosystem health, water conservation measures, and reducing synthetic inputs. Though no formal organic certification exists, the estate applies sustainable methods. Packaging uses standard glass bottles with moderate weight. Import logistics contribute to carbon footprint, mitigated where possible by bulk shipping and efficient distribution networks.