No doubts, this year, on how to spend Valentine's Day: the only option will be to stay at home, organise a home-made dinner, cooking or ordering a delivery. Inevitable will be chocolate (preferably dark), the aphrodisiac par excellence: whether it is a Sacher or cheesecake, or the classic cupcake with a warm chocolate heart, what is certain is that the 'food of the gods' will not be missing to end in beauty an evening of high seduction.
The perfect pairing, then, to continue to inebriate your partner in the goblet as well? The Passito Montefalco Sagrantino DOCGthat the cellar Arnaldo Caprai produces in very limited quantities: a sweet red wine that matures for 18 months in barriques and completes its ageing with 12 months in bottles. In the glass, it is dark ruby red in colour with garnet reflections, the bouquet is complex and rich, with aromas of small dark berries, black cherry, plum, hints of dried fruit, soft oriental spices and vanilla. In the mouth, it confirms what it promised on the nose: it is ample, enveloping, with dense and persuasive aromas that anticipate a harmonious and very persistent finish. It is like a kiss full of passion that will move you.
It should be served chilled, at a temperature of 12-14 °C and costs around 40 euro. Those who, on the other hand, have not yet found their soul mate, in times of lockdown and curfew must approach the singles' holiday, San Faustino, by aiming to celebrate the most important person in their lives, namely themselves. In this case, the proposal is to pamper yourself with the Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, the historic Sagrantino of Arnaldo Caprai (30 euros), which will amaze for its detail, finesse and great balance. Son of a barrique maturation of about 22 months that in the glass reveals all the depth of the type, on the nose it expresses hints of blackberry jam, pepper, clove and vanilla, a balsamic note and a touch of powder. On the palate it is powerful and at the same time elegant, characterised by a tannic texture of incredible precision and workmanship, it closes very long, on notes of blackberry. Ideal with savoury main courses, especially roast meat, stews and game.
ARNALDO CAPRAI FARM AT A GLANCE
Few other wineries in Italy and around the world are immediately identified just by mentioning the name of the denomination to which they belong, like Arnaldo Caprai, itself a symbol of Sagrantino di Montefalco. A unique reality, synonymous with Italian excellence, capable of creating wines that are out of the ordinary in terms of depth, elegance and longevity: not only reds, but also whites. The credit for this adventure that began in the late 1970s goes to Marco Caprai, Arnaldo's son. It was he, in fact, more than anyone else who believed in the richness of Sagrantino, reinterpreting it in a modern key, through the most innovative production and business management methods, which have enabled him to win the favour of the public and critics all over the world. Not to be outdone by the whites: Arnaldo Caprai's Grecante, 100% Grechetto, managed to conquer Wine Spectator's Top100.
A great company, Arnaldo Caprai, that guards a green soul, considering issues concerning sustainability, protection and safeguarding the environment as fundamental. The point of observation always remains the same: trying to behave in harmony with natural evolution cycles, preserving and enhancing the territory in which it operates. This is why the company decided to create an Environmental Management System that complies with international regulations, developing a voluntary territorial protocol of environmental, economic and social sustainability of the production process.
It is in this unparalleled context that wines of unforgettable substance are born, complex and elegant, capable of narrating the best of an entire region, Umbria.
