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Wine 101 The Fascinating Valpolicella
Embark on a captivating journey through the vineyards of Valpolicella, where millennia of viticultural history converge to create four exquisite styles of wine. From the legendary Amarone to the lively Valpolicella, discover the richness of this Italian wine region and its timeless allure.
Valpolicella Unveiled
- Valpolicella, renowned as the birthplace of Amarone, stands as an epitome of Italian winemaking excellence.
- The region boasts a diverse range of red wines, including dry Amarone, spicy Valpolicella Ripasso, sweet Recioto, and approachable Valpolicella.
Origins and Significance
- Valpolicella holds the esteemed position of being the first Italian appellation by value, following only Chianti and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in red wine production.
- The name Valpolicella, a blend of Latin and ancient Greek, translates to the “valley of many cellars,” reflecting the region’s viticultural heritage.
Geographical Splendor
- Spanning 240 square kilometers in northern Italy’s Veneto region, Valpolicella is nestled in the Alps’ foothills, surrounded by the Lessini Mountains’ descending valleys.
- Rich, alluvial soils and diverse elevations contribute to the unique terroir of Valpolicella’s vineyards.
The Art of Winemaking
- Valpolicella wines derive from a shortlist of native grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara, showcasing the region’s winemaking versatility.
- Corvina, the dominant grape, lends bright, lively, and balanced flavors to Valpolicella wines.
Styles of Valpolicella Wine
- Valpolicella: A bright, vibrant wine with refreshing sour cherry notes, best enjoyed within the first five years of release.
- Ripasso: Crafted by fermenting Valpolicella with grape skins from Recioto and Amarone, resulting in a soft, supple wine with spicy aromas.
- Recioto: A dessert wine made by drying ripe grapes, offering toothsome raspberry notes and dried cherry aromas, ideal for aging.
- Amarone: A full-bodied, slightly raisinated wine produced by fermenting dried grapes, boasting bitter and dark berry notes.
Aging Potential
- Amarone and Recioto exhibit aging potential, improving with time, while Valpolicella and Ripasso are best enjoyed in their youth.
Perfect Pairings
- Valpolicella wines complement a wide range of dishes, from Venetian classics like brasato all’Amarone to juicy steaks and grilled meats.
- Young Valpolicella pairs well with salads, seafood, and traditional Italian pastas, while Recioto shines with desserts like tiramisu and chocolates.
Noteworthy Wineries to Explore
- Cantina Valpantena Verona
- Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine
- Cantina Valpolicella Negrar
- Santi
- Sartori di Verona
- Massimago
- Rocca Sveva
10 Facts about Valpolicella
- Valpolicella, famed for Amarone, ranks as the first Italian appellation by value.
- The name Valpolicella translates to the “valley of many cellars,” reflecting its viticultural heritage.
- Valpolicella spans 240 square kilometers in northern Italy’s Veneto region, characterized by diverse elevations and rich soils.
- The region’s red wines include Amarone, Valpolicella Ripasso, Recioto, and Valpolicella.
- Valpolicella wines feature native grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara.
- Corvina, the dominant grape, imparts bright and balanced flavors to Valpolicella wines.
- Styles range from the vibrant Valpolicella to the aged Amarone and Recioto.
- Amarone and Recioto showcase aging potential, while Valpolicella and Ripasso are best enjoyed young.
- Valpolicella wines pair seamlessly with Venetian classics, juicy steaks, seafood, and desserts.
- Notable wineries in Valpolicella include Cantina Valpantena Verona, Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine, and Cantina Valpolicella Negrar.
Since you made it here…Interesting Wines to try
2019 Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Merlot Carneros – Napa Valley
- The legendary Hyde Vineyard unveils a brilliantly structured Merlot
- Ripe tannins dominate, yet irresistibly approachable in its early evolution
- Sarsaparilla, cola spice, and cigar humidor dance with black licorice
- Layers of plum sauce, blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries unfold
- Scrubby herbs emerge with perky acidity, keeping the experience lively
- Immerse yourself in the world of wine with Hyde Vineyard’s masterpiece
- Elevate your tasting experience with this captivating Merlot
2019 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley
- Inky richness, bursting with toasty cacao, espresso, and grilled vanilla
- Silky mouthfeel framed by sweet, integrating tannins
- Spiced plums, cassis, and bright acidity lingering through a blueberry-kissed finish
2019 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot Los Carneros – Napa Valley
- Pure evocation of strawberries with evolving tea-like tannins
- Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, and smashed blueberry
- Notably savory with hints of carob, mineral, black licorice, and plum sauce layers
2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley
- A beautiful expression with sweet tannins and well-integrated oak spicing
- Hoisin sauce, cassis, violets, and candied orange peels
- Sandalwood, floral peppercorns, espresso beans, warm vanilla, and loam
2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley, Washington
- Estate-grown brilliance structured for mid-term aging
- Ripe red berry fruit and cherries finding counterpoints in dusty tannins and carob
- Minerality pulsing through each sip, delivering a brilliant wine experience
2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Estate MerlotNapa Valley
- A classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter with astounding mountain-grown grapes
- Age-worthy tannins allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, and well-steeped tea to shine
- Cardamom and violets lingering through the long, elegant finish
2020 Macari Vineyards Merlot North Fork of Long Island
- A spicy and fascinating expression, dominated by crushed peppercorns
- Remarkably translucent, revealing red cherries, raspberries, and toasted fennel seeds with oak spice
2018 Meeker Winemakers’ Handprint Collection Merlot Sonoma County
- Lifted and well-delineated, expressive of black raspberries, ripe cherries, and goji berries
- Loamy earthiness, sarsaparilla-dusted tannins, and a bay-leaf note creating an intriguing wine experience
- Elegant yet powerful, structured for cellaring or enjoying now with grilled meat
2019 Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
- Toasty, rich, and brooding, a wine rewarding patience
- Notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promising complexity
- Impressive balance and structure with graphite-like tannins and singed laurel nuances
2019 Northstar Premier Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington
- Velvety texture, ripe with a counterbalancing punch of acidity
- Crushed blackberries and mulberries, vanilla, clove, and toasty oak through the finish
- A stellar example of what the wine variety does best in the Columbia Valley
2019 PlumpJack Estate Winery Merlot Napa Valley
- A toasty, modern, crowd-pleasing beauty with rich, chocolatey notes
- Plums, blackberries, and cassis lifted by candied violets
- Aging potential of five to seven years, but delightful fruitiness makes it enjoyable now
2019 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains
- Shining with the character of the venerable Monte Bello Vineyard
- Cedar, incense, brambly berries, elegant balance, and beautifully calibrated acidity
- Promising another ten to fifteen years of life ahead
2019 Rutherford Hill Winery Merlot Napa Valley
- Silky and herbaceous, less fruit-forward than typical Napa Merlot
- Layers of black and red raspberries, cherries, and chocolate with lively mineral finish
- A solid value delivering a unique wine experience for less than $30
- Estate-grown Merlot marked by toasty oak, cafe mocha notes, and woodsy spices
- Silky tannins, density, and underlying pulse of minerality providing real energy
- A captivating wine experience with impressive aging potential
2020 Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Walla Walla Valley, Washington
- Fruit-forward Merlot from a vineyard planted in the early-1980s
- Underlying bergamot note with nuances of sage, oregano, and cracked peppercorns
- Sweet tannins lingering through flavors of red and purple plums and huckleberries
2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Vineyards MerlotNapa Valley
- Rich, chocolatey aromas of hoisin sauce and spiced blackberry liqueur
- Balanced acidity with minerality, hint of dried herbs, and fantastic kirsch finish
2019 Vérité La Muse
- One of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots
- A balance of perfume and depth with red currants, raspberries, cherries, plums, graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood
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