La Grola is one of the signature vineyards of Valpolicella Classica, a hill at Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella farmed by the Allegrini family for decades. To celebrate forty years of ownership, the label of the 2016 vintage was entrusted to Japanese artist Hiroyuki Masuyama, who photographed the vineyard for 24 hours and layered hundreds of shots into a single image with soft, blurred contours.
It is a dry red from fresh, undried grapes, based on Corvina with a share of Oseleta, an old Veronese variety that adds colour and structure. It ages in oak and, being outside the Valpolicella rules, is released as Veronese IGT.
2016 is a vintage of great balance: precise fruit of sour cherry, blueberry and blackberry, spice and a lightly balsamic finish, with good breadth and freshness. Gift boxed, it is a refined present for lovers of wine and art. With red meat, roasts, game and aged cheeses.
At a glance: Corvina 90%, Oseleta 10% · 13.5% ABV · 0.75 l · Allegrini, Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella