The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

DOCGStill huntingModerate

Sforzato di Valtellina (Sfursat) DOCG

Nebbiolo made like Amarone: grapes dry on racks for about three months, then ferment dry to at least 14 percent. The result is a full, warm mountain red with dried cherry, fig, tar, leather, tobacco and dried rose, with Nebbiolo's tannin and acidity keeping it fresher than most Amarone. Nino Negri's 5 Stelle is the reference, Rainoldi and Sandro Fay the connoisseur picks. It ages 15 to 20 years.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Nino Negri
Sforzato di Valtellina 5 Stelle
The benchmark Sfursat since 1983; dried cherry, cocoa, tar, plush texture with real Nebbiolo grip.
$55 to $70Wine-Searcher
Rainoldi
Sforzato di Valtellina
More traditional and savory, with fig, leather and dried rose; a sommelier favorite.
$45 to $60Wine-Searcher
Nino Negri
Sforzato di Valtellina Carlo Negri
The house's more accessible Sfursat; same dried-fruit warmth at a lower price.
$35 to $45Wine-Searcher