Appassimento is the Italian name for the grape-drying process used in Italy to produce Amarone wines. Interest in producing Amarone-style wines in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario is growing rapidly, with two wineries producing commercial wines from wholly or partially dried grapes by using this technique. At least six wineries are experimenting with the process, and extensive research is just getting under way to see how the appassimento technique can best be adapted for Ontario. Since Amarone is a protected name and cannot be used by the Canadian industry, the term “appassimento-style” is being used, with the wines referred to as “appassimento wines.”

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