LKNConnect proudly welcomes Guido Lombardi to our team as the passionate voice behind In Vino Veritas, our new wine column dedicated to the rich world of Italian wine. A native of Rome and seasoned wine expert, Guido brings decades of experience and a deep love for Italy’s 1,300 native grape varietals and 20 unique wine regions. Each week, he shares authentic insights, regional stories, and pairing tips that bring the flavors and traditions of Italy to life. Whether you’re a casual sipper or devoted enthusiast, In Vino Veritas invites you to discover Italy—one glass at a time.
Verona is synonymous with the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet and, if you’re lucky enough to spend a few days in this little medieval town in north Italy, you must absolutely stop by Juliet’s balcony, sit down in one of the nearby wine bars, open Shakespeare’s masterpiece, order a glass of their best wine ( I’d say a bottle…), and relax and feel the turmoil of emotions that led to one of the most famous dramas in history.
Now… if you liked what I’ve written so far and trust me, please, do not order any fancy wine, don’t even ask for the wine list, but order an “Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG” instead.
Y’all will thank me later once you’ve experienced the deliciousness of this wine.
Amarone is rich, intense and passionate, with strong but elegant tannins, dried cherries, sour cherries, dark fruits, plum, walnut, tobacco, coffee, spices such as vanilla, and amazing floral notes.
It has a full body and a velvety texture, with a long-lasting finish and a high percentage of alcohol (sometimes even exceeding 15%)!
The secret of Amarone and the emotions it is able to transmit lies mainly in how it’s made:
A blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Molinara, and Rondinella is rigorously hand-harvested before being placed in small oak chests for 120 days in a humidity-and-temperature-controlled area to partially dehydrate.
After this, the grapes are crushed and the must (the grape juice) ferments for 30 days, roughly the double of regular wines, before aging for 24 months in big Slovenian Oak barrels (in this case, the size is chosen as to limit its interaction with the wine so that the end product will preserve more of the characteristics of the grapes).
After this, it’s one more year in a bottle and pronto! you have just made one of the most complex and appreciated Italian wines in the world. Salute!
Born in Rome, Italy, Guido Lombardi developed a deep appreciation for fine wine and Italian tradition from an early age. In 2015, he brought that passion to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he founded Impero Wine NC. His mission is to introduce the richness and authenticity of true Italian wines to local tables, offering a curated selection that reflects the diverse regions and flavors of his homeland. Through Impero Wine, Guido shares not just wine, but the stories, culture, and craftsmanship behind every bottle.
IMPERO WINE DISTRIBUTORS NC
548 GRIFFITH ROAD
CHARLOTTE 28217
NORTH CAROLINA
