Costasera Contemporary Art 2023 Edition - MASI 750ml x 1 bottle

~ Yasuhiro Asai (Japan) × Amarone della Valpolicella 2005 ~

About the Project

"Costasera Contemporary Art" is a collaborative project between international artists and Masi's iconic, highest-quality wine, "Amarone Costasera." Artists from countries historically linked to Masi are selected to create works inspired by the wine.

2023 Artist: Yasuhiro Asai

For 2023, Yasuhiro Asai, a young master of "urushi-gei" (lacquer art), a traditional Japanese craft, was selected.

• Artwork Title: "Saikou" Meaning "fragrance of the west (Europe)." This incense burner expresses the rich aroma emanating from Italian grapes and wine. It was created over approximately two years, utilizing gold powder and mother-of-pearl inlay (raden: decoration using the inner surface of seashells).
• Design Background: Upon tasting Amarone, Mr. Asai reportedly felt that "its aroma and flavor are very elegant, truly a work of art." The blue and purple shimmering grape motifs on the artwork are delicately expressed with mother-of-pearl inlay.

The design of this valuable artwork was adopted as a limited-edition label for the 2005 vintage of Amarone.

In 2005, the spring and early summer saw alternating rain and hot days, followed by a hot and windy July. However, August brought much-needed rain, averting drought. Harvesting began on September 19th. Fermentation with yeast lasted 45 days. The wine was aged for two years in large oak barrels. It has a remarkably dark, completely matte ruby red color. The aroma features cherry preserves and dried plums, with hints of wild berries and cinnamon. It has a moderate alcohol content and a firm structure, with flavors expanding to cherry and vanilla. The velvety finish is long-lasting.

Classification: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC

Grape Varieties: Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta

Pairing: Meat dishes, including game, aged cheeses

Click here for more details about the artwork and artist