Red wine

Valpolicella

Robe — Bright ruby

  • red cherry
  • almond
  • herbs
  • violet
Palate
Light to medium, fresh and cherryish; richer and warmer in Ripasso form
Ageing
2–8 years
Serving
15–16 °C

The everyday red of the hills north of Verona, Valpolicella is Corvina's lighter, fresher expression — bright cherry fruit and a signature bitter- almond twist, made to be drunk young and cool. It is the base from which the region's grander wines, dried-grape Amarone and Recioto, are made.

In its Ripasso form — re-fermented on the leftover Amarone skins — it gains warmth, body and a raisiny depth, "baby Amarone" at a friendly price. From the classic zone and a good grower, even the basic wine has real charm and class.

The blend

A typical modern composition

Where it is made

Producers

A few estates working in this style today — a sample, not a ranking

Through time

Indicative presence index, 0–100Origins & Antiquity — 15The Monastic Middle Ages — 30Exploration & the Fortified Age — 35Classifications & the Golden Age — 40Phylloxera & the World Crises — 40The Modern & New World Era — 65Antiquity15500150017001875195065