CITYist

American ready-to-wear designer Denise Focil and Italian winemaker Distilleria Bottega have teamed up to create a wine complete with luxury packaging: Amarone Bottega, Il Vino Prêt-á-Porter. The bottle’s label is a champagne white leather, embellished with metal studs, while the leather box carrier that it rests in is debossed with rich black lettering and a pearlescent finish. The sleek case features a metal plaque engraved with the Alpinestars by Denise Focil logo. Amarone is a red wine made from a blend of different vines, with an emphasis on Veronese Corvina, of which 40 to 70 percent is present in the wine. The wine is rich and full-bodied with a flowery bouquet, a touch of almond, and a bit of spice. Amarone pairs well with autumn and winter foods such as braised meat, stews, casseroles and roasts. The Amarone Bottega, Il Vino Prêt-á-Porter wine bottle won the Silver Medal for the “Best Packaging” from the 2012 International Travel Retail Awards. The limited edition wine will retail for $150 and will be available at fine wine retailers nationwide in the fall.