Viniou Reviews
Masi’s Costasera 2019 is a bold and expressive red wine, emblematic of the prestigious Veneto region in northern Italy. While the exact DOC isn’t specified here, “Costasera” is typically associated with Amarone della Valpolicella, a celebrated dry red wine crafted from indigenous grape varieties such as Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. This cuvée is a masterful blend, with grapes partially dried using the appassimento technique to concentrate flavours and sugars before vinification. The resulting wine from the 2019 vintage is distinguished by its deep ruby hue, rich aromas of ripe cherry, plum, dried fruits, cocoa, and spices, and a velvety palate underpinned by robust tannins and a long, lingering finish. Costasera is notable for its opulence, finesse, and well-judged balance between powerful intensity and freshness.
The Veneto region lies nestled between the foothills of the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, benefitting from a mild climate with significant diurnal temperature variation. This terroir, with its stony, well-drained soils, is ideal for producing structured, flavourful reds. Veneto has an ancient winemaking tradition, dating back to Roman times, and is renowned for its innovative techniques, including appassimento, which imparts concentration and complexity to wines like Costasera.
For food pairings, this wine’s intensity and dried fruit character make it a superb partner for hearty dishes. You might try it with rich game stews, braised beef, or aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano. Regional pairings like Venetian duck ragù or traditional risotto all’Amarone will further highlight the wine’s depth. Its savoury, slightly bitter edge also makes it excellent with grilled wild mushrooms or truffle dishes.
To fully appreciate the nuances of Costasera 2019, decant the wine for at least an hour before serving. The ideal tasting temperature is between 16-18°C, which will allow the bouquet and palate to open up beautifully, revealing the wine’s structure and aromatic complexity.
