With winter in full swing, nothing says “warm up by the fire” like a glass of Amarone. Americans are longtime fans of this full-bodied, velvety red wine, and the U.S. is the second largest destination market, accounting for 14% of total exports. 

Produced across 19 townships in the northeast province of Verona, Amarone is created from dried grapes, a method called appassimento in Italian. After harvesting high-quality grapes that can withstand the grape-drying process, bunches are carefully laid in wooden crates or on bamboo racks in a single layer to allow air to circulate.