Happy Hour Featuring Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani from Valpolicella with Special Guest Owner Giovanni Bertani Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 6:00 PM
“The only way of rendering life endurable is to drink as much wine as one can come by.”
- James Branch Cabell, Beyond Life
We are trying to keep the calendar of events full at the Wine Bar so we have at least Thursday, Friday and Saturday night filled with wine tasting events! And we have a schedule of events that you can count on some of my favorite wines coming out in June.
And remember the Wine Cave is available Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights!
We have a minimum of 6 people to reserve the table in the Cave but we will take up to 16 people for a curated dinner by Chef Toni. We must know in advance what food items you want so you will have to coordinate the menu with Toni ahead of time, but she can put together any of your favorites from past Wine Bar menus or whatever you want if she has enough notice. The best thing about this table is the view of the wine, we have the largest selection of vintage wine in South Florida and everything is available at a retail price!! You may want to bring a sweater it is 64 degrees in the wine cave.
Amarone is one of the most unique wines in the world because they use a style of production known as appassimento. This style of winemaking is when they dry the grapes before they ferment them making the wines more concentrated and in most cases higher in alcohol than other wines that are made fermenting the grapes right after they are picked.
The Ripasso technique which is used here is also unique in the wine world and was also created in the Valpolicella region of Italy. This is a method of production where they pass the juice of grapes that were crushed right after harvest aka already fermented juice (wine) over the must of the freshly crushed dried grapes used to make Amarone. The must contains a little yeast and sugar so the wine now goes through a second fermentation giving the resulting wine more body, flavor and of course more alcohol! This wine is known as Valpolicella Ripasso and if you want to learn more about these amazing wines come out and taste some of the best that the land of many cellars has to offer.
Join us as we welcome Giovanni Bertani to South Florida to experience some of the best wines from Valpolicella. The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Happy Hour Featuring Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani from Valpolicella
with Special Guest Owner Giovanni Bertani
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
6 PM
2022 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Soave Lepia DOC
Price: $19.25 Your Price: $16.94
A SINGLE-VINEYARD SOAVE WHITE obtained from a local Garganega varietal with low-yield vineyards and careful attention to vinification, conducted in stainless steel. A pleasant surprise to the palate, with both freshness and depth, giving it an interesting and balanced structure. Light straw-yellow. A complex aroma with scents of summer fruits, pears, peaches, herbs, almonds, as well as minerality. The taste is rich and fresh, with a pleasant saltiness that actually intensifies the softness. Mild vanilla taste and good persistency....
2022 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Pragal IGT Rosso Verona
Price: $22.50 Your Price: $19.80
A fruity, spicy blend of Corvina, Merlot, and Syrah giving full expression of our region, intriguing in its easy elegance and full-bodied structure. Derived from low-yield vines, the wine is vinified with both fresh and partially dried grapes, and, after a lengthy maceration and fermentation phase/period, refined in large oak barrels in our historic cellars at Arbizzano di Negrar. Deep ruby color lightly blended with garnet red and reflections of violet. Engaging bouquet with alternating hints of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherry with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper. Enticing, warm and round, bright acidity with soft, beguiling tannins balanced with great structure and persistence....
2020 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Valpolicella Classico Superiore
Price: $27.00 Your Price: $23.76
Our valpolicella superiore is produced entirely from native Veronese Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella varietals in low-yield vineyards at our historic estate in Arbizzano di Negrar, Verona. After a long maceration and fermentation, the wine is aged for at least 14 months in traditional large oak barrels, followed by a short refinement in the bottle.
Vivid ruby red in color, with intense aromas of blueberry, hints of cherry, licorice and lingering accents of cinnamon and pepper. On the palate, soft and warm structured tannins are balanced with nice acidity, long finish and fruity sensations.
2018 Tenuta Santa Maria Amarone Della Valpolicella Riserva DOCG
Price: $105.00 Your Price: $92.40
THE AMARONE IS OBTAINED USING THE TRADITIONAL APPASSIMENTO METHOD, a natural drying process of Corvina, Rondinella and Corvinone grapes, and long barrel aging, giving it a unique and immediately recognizable taste. It represents the full expression of the Veronese tradition and the more than century-old family heritage. The wine has a ruby red color with garnet reflections. The impact of preserved cherry, spices, and dried rose petal lend complexity and elegance to the nose. To the palate, it has warmth and subtlety, well-structured and with a high alcohol content, balanced by velvety tannins and an elegant acidity and freshness....
2020 TENUTA SANTA MARIA RECIOTO DOCG
Price: $65.00 Your Price: $57.20
(94 Points) "A dusting of cocoa gives way to candle wax, sage and blueberry sauce as the 2020 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico opens in the glass. This is silky smooth and opulent in feel, with masses of ultra-ripe wild berry fruits and hints of mocha that envelop the palate. Cinnamon and clove come together with spiced blood orange and dark chocolate through the dramatically long yet remarkably fresh finale." Vinous Media
Menu
Charcuterie Pizza
Forbidden Rice Arancini with Strawberry Sunday Sauce
Turkey Meatballs with Mushroom Bone Marrow Natural Sauve
Blue Cheese Gaugeres with Blueberry Compote
Foie Gras Mousse Served Over Whole Wheat Toast Points with Cherry Jelly
The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
A bit about Tenuta Santa Maria
The Bertani name represents centuries of wine-making experience. When brothers Gaetano and Giovanni Battista Bertani founded the historic cellar in the second half of the 19th century, their efforts were built upon an already firmly established viticultural heritage dating back to the 15th century. Combining their deep respect for tradition and appreciation for the land with an innovative and courageous spirit for quality wine-making, the two brothers gave birth to a highly successful enterprise that was quite trailblazing for the Veneto of that era. They were the first in the region to bottle and sell typical Veronese varieties such as Valpolicella Ripasso, Recioto and Soave on a large scale, and innovative cultivation techniques (Guyot method for high-density, low-yield) and enological innovations (such as the Ripasso method, a second fermentation of Valpolicella created by “passing over” Recioto grape skins) brought them national and international recognition for winemaking quality.
In 2012, the historic Cantine Bertani family label was sold, resulting in the division of assets and formation of “Agricola Gaetano Bertani e Figli,” a company comprised of the family patriarch, Gaetano (greatgrandson of founding brother Gaetano), and his two sons Giovanni and Guglielmo. In addition to the acquisition of over 123 acres of vineyards spanning all three of Verona’s premier productions areas, the venture allowed for the expansion of Tenuta Santa Maria estate wines, a project conceived by Gaetano focusing on top echelon wines. In keeping with the innovative traditions of this renowned wine family, Gaetano Bertani was among the first vintners in the Veneto to experiment with international grapes, giving rise to a selection of labels produced from Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay that stand alongside the more “classic” lineup of the region’s fine wines Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore and Amarone Classico Riserva. Until 2020, the continuation of this historic family winemaking tradition was steered by Gaetano Bertani’s able hand, together with his two sons Giovanni and Guglielmo. After the sudden passing of the winery’s head, Giovanni and Guglielmo have taken the helm, guided by years of extensive wine-making experience with their father and a continuing drive for excellence and innovation. Dedication, passion and respect for the vineyard combine with a constant pursuit of the latest advancements in oenological technology and thirst for innovation to produce characteristics wines of timeless elegance, truly authentic expressions of the territory.
A bit about Amarone and Valpolicella:
Valpolicella, according to some accounts, means “valley of many cellars,” which seems fitting. It is derived, they say, from the Greek word poli (many) and the Latin cella (cellar). This area is approximately 27 miles long and 5 miles wide, it passes north and west of Verona, extending from the Adige River to the Cazzano Valley. Bardolino and Lake Garda lie to the west and Soave to the east. The land ranges in altitude from 490 to 1,475 feet above sea level. The vines in the classico district to the northwest of Verona, are planted on the hillsides and mountain slopes of the valleys of the Adige tributaries and the Fumane, Marano, and Negrar torrents. Some of the vineyards are terraced with stone. The cretaceous, calcareous soil is of glacial origins. And volcanic activity in this area contributed elements to the soil as well.
The area around Sant’Ambrogio is considered the heart of the Amarone production zone. Within this area, northeast of Gargagnago, is a valley called Vaio Armaron, which may have given the wine its name. The blend of grapes typically used in Valpolicella is Corvina (40%-70%), Rondinella (20%-40%), Molinara (5%-25%) and may contain up to 15% Negrara Trentina, Rossignola, Dindarella, Barbera, and/or Sangiovese. Before 1989 producers were allowed to add as much as 15% of grapes, must, or wine from outside the zone to correct problems from a weak vintage, but this practice is prohibited today. Corvina contributes color, body, bouquet, flavor, and the basic Valpolicella character to the wine. Rondinella, which is resistant to disease and rot, is added for its color and strength, tannin and vigor, it also adds some refinement to the azromas. Molinara, or Mulinara, is also known as Rossara Veronese and Rossanella, is blended in to make the wine lighter and more drinkable. It also contributes dryness and acidity, as well as that characteristic bitterness. Negrara, adds softness, freshness and early drinkability.
The first dry Amarone, according to writer Cesare Marchi, was the result of a fortunate accident. In the early 1950s, Adelino Lucchese, Bertani’s cellarmaster, discovered a barrel of wine in the cellar that had been overlooked and neglected for some time. Certain that it had spoiled he was about to discard its contents, when curiosity prompted him to take a taste just to see what had happened. He was astonished to discover that the forgotten wine had a velvety texture and a penetrating perfume, a slightly bitter taste, but not at all unpleasant.
There is however evidence that the Romans made a type of bitter Recioto for diabetics or other people who couldn’t take sugar. Sandro Boscaini of Masi pointed out that some of the oldest families in Valpolicella, the Count Campostrini and Count Serego Alighieri, as well as his own produced an Amaro, a dry Recioto. This would seem to indicate that Amarone is considerably older that Marchi admits. According to another book called Valpolicella Spolendida Contea Dei Vino, written by Lamberto Paronetto, the name Amarone has been in use since the eighteenth century. It became popular at the beginning of this century and the name could very well be derived from the Italian word amaro, meaning “bitter” (scholar Scipione Maffei, writing in the first half of the eighteenth century, refers to an amaro, a dry wine from the Valpolicella area), or it could come from Vajo Armaron, where some highly regarded Amarones have been produced for ages.
Valpolicella
2022 Brigaldara Valpolicella Classico
Price: $18.00 Your Price: $15.84 Quantity in Stock: 12
2020 Brigaldara Valpolicella Classico
Price: $18.00 Your Price: $15.84 Quantity in Stock: 4
2020 Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore
Price: $34.00 Your Price: $29.92 Quantity in Stock: 9
2020 Bertani Cru ' Ogni Santi di Novare' Valpolicella Classico Superiore Veneto, Italy
Price: $53.00 Your Price: $46.64 Quantity in Stock: 2
2019 Brigaldara Case Vecie Valpolicella Superiore
Price: $34.89 Your Price: $30.70 Quantity in Stock: 12
2019 Tommaso Bussola Ca Del Laito Valpolicella Ripasso Superior
Price: $31.50 Your Price: $27.72 Quantity in Stock: 19
2018 Zyme Valpolicella Classico Superiore
Price: $48.00 Your Price: $42.24 Quantity in Stock: 1
2018 Marchesi Fumanelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy
Price: $27.50 Your Price: $24.20 Quantity in Stock: 1
2018 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore
Price: $35.25 Your Price: $31.02 Quantity in Stock: 2
2017 Marchesi Fumanelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy
Price: $26.00 Your Price: $22.88 Quantity in Stock: 3
2017 Tenuta Santa Maria Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore
Price: $37.50 Your Price: $33.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2012 Marchesi Fumanelli Squarano Valpolicella Classico Doc Superiore
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $59.40 Quantity in Stock: 5
2008 Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella
Price: $172.50 Your Price: $151.80 Quantity in Stock: 1
2006 Bertani Secco-Bertani Valpolicella Valpantena Ripasso Veneto
Price: $24.00 Sale Price: $20.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 Bertani Secco Valpolicella Valpantena
Price: $25.00 Your Price: $22.00 Quantity in Stock: 22
1998 Tomaso Bussola Valpolicella BG Classico
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $39.60 Quantity in Stock: 4
Amarone
1964 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto, Italy
Price: $695.00 Sale Price: $550.00 Quantity in Stock: 11
1971 Paolo Boscaini Marano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Price: $165.00 Sale Price: $135.00 Quantity in Stock: 10
1977 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Price: $400.00 Sale Price: $320.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1977 Giacomo Montresor Amarone Recioto Della Valpolicella
Price: $150.00 Sale Price: $120.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1985 Luigi Righetti Capitel De' Roari, Amarone della Valpolicella Recioto Classico DOCG, Italy
Price: $150.00 Sale Price: $120.00 Quantity in Stock: 12
1985 Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $185.00 Sale Price: $150.00 Quantity in Stock: 53
1986 Roberto Anselmi Amarone Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, Veneto, italy
Price: $225.00 Sale Price: $179.00 Quantity in Stock: 10
1988 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Verona 3 LIter
Price: $1750.00 Sale Price: $1350.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1988 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Price: $400.00 Sale Price: $320.00 Quantity in Stock: 80
1988 Paolo Boscaini Marano, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy
Price: $159.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Quantity in Stock: 71
1988 Masi Amarone Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Veneto, Italy
Price: $250.00 Sale Price: $200.00 Quantity in Stock: 18
1990 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto, Italy
Price: $450.00 Sale Price: $375.00 Quantity in Stock: 87
1993 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto, Italy
Price: $350.00 Sale Price: $280.00 Quantity in Stock: 25
1994 Bertani Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Docg Veneto, Italy Magnum
Price: $625.00 Sale Price: $495.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
1994 BERTANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG VENETO, ITALY
Price: $295.00 Sale Price: $230.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
1995 Luigi Righetti Capitel De' Roari, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy
Price: $150.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 70
1996 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Price: $345.00 Sale Price: $275.00 Quantity in Stock: 7
1996 LUIGI RIGHETTI CAPITEL DE' ROARI, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $150.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 11
1997 Mastino Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $99.00 Quantity in Stock: 18
1997 Arano Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico
Price: $115.00 Your Price: $101.20 Quantity in Stock: 10
1997 Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto, Italy
Price: $165.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Quantity in Stock: 29
1997 Masi Costasera, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy
Price: $195.00 Sale Price: $155.00 Quantity in Stock: 13
1997 LUIGI RIGHETTI CAPITEL DE' ROARI, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $140.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 12
1997 Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy
Price: $350.00 Sale Price: $285.00 Quantity in Stock: 12
1998 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto
Price: $149.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto, Italy MAGNUM
Price: $362.50 Sale Price: $290.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
1999 Tommaso Bussola TB Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Price: $181.25 Sale Price: $145.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $160.00 Sale Price: $129.00 Quantity in Stock: 12
2004 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Selezione Antonio Castagnedi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Price: $81.25 Your Price: $71.50 Quantity in Stock: 1
2005 Tenuta Valleselle Aurum Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico
Price: $69.00 Your Price: $60.72 Quantity in Stock: 1
2006 Dal Forno Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $522.00 Your Price: $459.36 Quantity in Stock: 1
2008 Dal Forno Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $522.00 Your Price: $459.36 Quantity in Stock: 3
2008 Monte Faustino L'Amarone del Maestro Fornaser Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG
Price: $210.00 Your Price: $184.80 Quantity in Stock: 8
2009 Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $522.00 Your Price: $459.36 Quantity in Stock: 1
2010 Tommasi De Bvris Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG Italy
Price: $306.00 Your Price: $269.28 Quantity in Stock: 3
2010 MONTE FAUSTINO L'AMARONE DEL MAESTRO FORNASER AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG
Price: $198.00 Your Price: $174.24 Quantity in Stock: 9
2011 Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva San Floriano
Price: $265.00 Your Price: $233.20 Quantity in Stock: 8
2012 Musella Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva DOCG
Price: $74.25 Your Price: $65.34 Quantity in Stock: 5
2012 MONTE FAUSTINO L'AMARONE DEL MAESTRO FORNASER AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG
Price: $192.00 Your Price: $168.96 Quantity in Stock: 9
2013 Monte Faustino Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $80.00 Your Price: $70.40 Quantity in Stock: 12
2013 Monte Faustino L'Amarone del Maestro Fornaser Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG
Price: $192.00 Your Price: $168.96 Quantity in Stock: 6
2015 BERTANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA
Price: $152.00 Your Price: $133.76 Quantity in Stock: 4
2015 Marchesi Fumanelli Amarone della Valpolicella Octavius Riserva
Price: $150.00 Your Price: $132.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2015 MASI SEREGO ALIGHIERI VAIO ARMARON, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $130.50 Your Price: $114.84 Quantity in Stock: 1
2015 Monte Faustino Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $90.00 Your Price: $79.20 Quantity in Stock: 13
2016 Brigaldara Cavolo Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $66.00 Your Price: $58.08 Quantity in Stock: 1
2016 Brigaldara Case Vecie Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $140.00 Your Price: $123.20 Quantity in Stock: 4
2017 Brigaldara Cavolo Amarone Della Valpolicella
Price: $66.00 Your Price: $58.08 Quantity in Stock: 12
2017 Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $489.00 Your Price: $430.32 Quantity in Stock: 4
2017 Marchesi Fumanelli Octavius, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG, Italy
Price: $147.00 Your Price: $129.36 Quantity in Stock: 14
2017 Sartori Amarone Della Valpolicella Reius
Price: $52.50 Your Price: $46.20 Quantity in Stock: 15
2017 Marchesi Fumanelli Amarone Valpolicella Classico
Price: $87.50 Your Price: $77.00 Quantity in Stock: 5
2019 Masi Amarone Della Valpolicella Costasera Classico
Price: $64.50 Your Price: $56.76 Quantity in Stock: 17
2020 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $59.40 Quantity in Stock: 12
2020 Corte Lenguin Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $39.60 Quantity in Stock: 5
2020 Bertani Valpantena Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $65.25 Your Price: $57.42 Quantity in Stock: 1
2021 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG Veneto, Italy
Price: $69.75 Your Price: $61.38 Quantity in Stock: 2
Recioto
2007 Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella 750ml
Price: $495.00 Your Price: $435.60 Quantity in Stock: 1
2019 Masi Angelorum Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 375ml
Price: $50.25 Your Price: $44.22 Quantity in Stock: 7
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