2021 Zyme - Veneto Rosso IGT Kairos (750ml)

Zýmē was established in 1999 by Celestino Gaspari, who learned winemaking in his family's vineyards in the Val d'Illasi before training under Giuseppe Quintarelli, one of Valpolicella's most celebrated producers, and eventually marrying into his family. Gaspari built the winery inside a fifteenth-century sandstone quarry in San Pietro in Cariano, giving it the name Zýmē, Greek for yeast, to reflect his belief in fermentation as a symbol of ongoing transformation and renewal. The estate farms about thirty hectares across Valpolicella Classica and neighboring zones, working organically and hand-harvesting each parcel according to its own ripening schedule.

Kairós takes its name from the ancient Greek word for the right or opportune moment, and its label depicts a colorful patchwork tied to Zýmē's Harlequin project, since the wine draws on at least fifteen different grape varieties, four white and eleven red, each sourced from its own distinct plot in the province of Verona. The grapes are harvested separately as each variety ripens, then fermented with native yeasts in steel and concrete for twenty to twenty-five days before the wine moves into French oak barriques, where it ages for a minimum of three years, followed by another year resting in bottle.

The result is a rich, full-bodied red with a brilliant ruby color and layered aromas of ripe fruit, forest floor, tobacco, and warm spice, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. On the palate it is round, intense, and long, with real complexity built from its unusual blend. It pairs well with game, roasted red meats, and aged cheeses.