Amarone

Definition:

The Italian heavyweight champ of reds. Made from grapes that get a little spa treatment in the drying room before hitting the press, Amarone is big, brawny, and smooth; basically the Vin Diesel of wine, but with subtitles.

Why it Matters:

In the cocktail and bartending world, Amarone isn’t something you casually splash into a glass and top with soda. This is a wine that comes into the bar wearing a tuxedo and refuses to sit on a speed rail. Its bold, dried-fruit intensity, higher alcohol, and velvet-like body make it more of a sipping superstar than a mixer. But that doesn’t mean bartenders don’t sneak it in -- Amarone reductions, Amarone-based syrups, and even fortified Amarone cocktails have become a way to flex serious creativity.

Think of it as your secret weapon. Want to turn a Manhattan into a godfather-level experience? Swap the vermouth for a splash of Amarone reduction, and suddenly your cocktail has depth, drama, and maybe a touch of operatic flair. It’s not an everyday player in the bar world, but when it shows up, it steals the show faster than Vin Diesel grabbing the keys to a muscle car.