Winemaking techniques: Drying on racks – Discover the Best Wines

Thedrying on racks (or on mats, arelle, or crates) is a traditional post-harvest drying technique, which consists in letting the bunches of grapes dry in ventilated, dry rooms, generally on wooden or bamboo racks, so as to to concentrate sugars, aromas and extractive substances.

This is a very old and widespread practice, used in particular for producing passito wines, but also for some full-bodied, long-lived reds such as Amarone.

How it works

  • The bunches are picked at full ripeness and hand-selected.

  • They are laid out on racks, crates o hung in well-ventilated rooms (fruttai).

  • The process lasts from 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the climate, the grape variety and the desired style.

  • The loss of water (from 30 to 50%) naturally concentrates:

    • Sugars

    • Aromas

    • Acidity

    • Polyphenols

Ideal conditions

  • Environments well ventilated, fresh e dry

  • Control of temperature and humidity (especially today, in the modern style)

  • Sometimes winemakers use natural or forced ventilation, in the event of rain or excessive humidity

  • Control against unwanted moulds → where appropriate, the aim is Noble botrytis only in certain cases

Effects on the wine

Characteristic Effect
Sugars High → suited to sweet or high-alcohol wines
Aromas Dried fruit, jam, spices, honey
Acidity It keeps the balance with the sugars
Structure Rich, dense, complex wines
Tannins Riper and softer, if the wine is red

Famous wines from grapes dried on racks

Wine Region
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG Veneto
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Veneto
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG Lombardy
Vin Santo DOC Tuscany, Umbria
Passito di Pantelleria DOC Sicily (sometimes on cane mats)
Moscato di Saracena Calabria
Erbaluce di Caluso Passito DOCG Piedmont

Food

  • Aged and blue cheeses (with sweet or structured dry wines)

  • Braised meats (with reds from dried grapes)

  • Dark chocolate, dry pastries

  • Spoon desserts, dried-fruit tarts

  • Meditation wines → excellent on their own too

Why choose a wine made from grapes dried on racks

For the natural aromatic concentration
For the wines sweet or dry for long ageing
For those looking for depth, intensity and complexity
For wines artisan and traditional, the result of patience and selection
For special moments and unusual food pairings

Drying on racks: My personal top three

  • 1
    Amarone 2012 - Speri

    Amarone 2012 - Speri

    • Type: Red Wine
    • Region: Italy, Valpolicella, Veneto
    Discover this wine
  • 2
    Governo all’Uso Toscano 2022 - Loggia della Luna

    Governo all’Uso Toscano 2022 - Loggia della Luna

    • Type: Red Wine
    • Region: Italy, Scansano, Tuscany
    Discover this wine
  • 3
    Recioto della Valpolicella 2018 - Secondo Marco

    Recioto della Valpolicella 2018 - Secondo Marco

    • Type: Red Wine
    • Region: Italy, Valpolicella, Veneto
    Discover this wine

All those I have tried