Valpolicella

3.5/5See all 64 reviews

Valpolicella wines

Valpolicella is a red wine produced in the Veneto region of northern Italy, east of Lake Garda. Valpolicella has held the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) since 1990. The historical production area of Valpolicella is located in five distinct regions: Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, San Pietro in Cariano, the Fumane Valley, the Marano Valley and the Negrar Valley. To these regions, the DOC adds Valpantena and the area east of Verona.

The DOC Valpolicella climate is mild and relatively dry. The nearby Lac de Garde helps limit temperature variations. The grape varieties used to make Valpolicella red wines are mainly Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara, which can be complemented by Cruina, Forselina, Negrara or Oseleta. Depending on the grape varieties used, Valpolicella can be fresh and sweet or more structured and tannic.

The diversity of Valpollicella's wines will come as a pleasant surprise, especially when tasting the wines of Domaine Stefano Accordini.

A continental climate

Located in northeastern Italy, close to Lake Garda and the Adriatic, the Valpolicella region enjoys a mild continental climate. The grapes used to make Valpolicella Classico are grown in the coolest region, in the foothills of the Monti Lessini (150 to 400 meters above sea level). The climate is warmer in the plains of the Adige river, to the south.

The soil is mostly gravel, with alluvial deposits in the Adige area. The region considered best suited to vine-growing is Classico, the historic heart of Valpolicella wine.

Grape varieties

Valpolicella red wine is generally made from three grape varieties: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara. Rossignola, Negrara, Barbera, Sangiovese and Bigolona are also found. Recently, there has been a revival of a local grape variety, Oseleta.

Style of Valpolicella wines

The Valpolicella region produces a wide variety of wines, mostly red. To put it simply, there are five levels of wine:

- Valpolicella Classico,

- Valpolicella Classico Superiore,

- Valpolicella Ripasso,

- Amarone della Valpolicella,

- the Recioto della Valpolicella.

Valpolicella Classico is a light table wine, often served chilled. It is the most affordable Valpolicello wine, both in terms of price and taste. It bears some similarities to Beaujolais wine. Valpolicella Classico Superiore is a little more expensive, but offers more body, as well as red fruit flavors with a hint of spice. It is also higher in alcohol (generally 12%).

Valpolicella Ripasso is made by blending leftover skins and seeds from Recioto and Amarone grapes with the base Valpolicella, and then macerating for a second period. The result is a beautiful ruby-red wine, with an alcohol content of around 13%, and more body and tannin than the Classico Superiore. It has a hint of dried fruit on the palate. Ripasso was awarded DOC status in 2009.

Amarone is a drier red wine, suitable for aging, with a high alcohol content (15-16%) and subtle aromas of spice and smoke. Like Classico and Ripasso, Amarone goes well with Italian dishes such as osso buco, lasagne and cheese.

Finally, Recioto is a dessert wine, one of the few sweet red wines. Its fruity (grapes, figs, cherries) and spicy flavors are ideal with chocolate or dried-fruit cakes. Its wine content is lower than that of Amarone (12-13%).

Italian wines from Valpolicella therefore come in a wide variety, from light and fresh to full-bodied and dessert wines. They rank among Italy's finest wines.

More information on the Valpolicella

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Discover our selection of the best Valpolicella wine producers

Cantine Delibori

Azienda Musella

Domaine Pieropan

Stefano Accordini

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Our latest sales of Valpolicella wines

Pieropan - Valpolicella Superiore Ruberpan 2021

Valpolicella Superiore|Red wine|Organic

93/100 Falstaff

92/100 James Suckling

(2020 vintage notes)

Italy

complex

black fruits

duck breast

bio&bon

"A Valpolicella Superiore with a great diversity of Italian grape varieties, complex and seductive!"

Head for the hills of Monte Garzon in Cellore di Illasi, where vines grown at an altitude of 500 meters will introduce you to an Italian terroir with a multitude of flavors. A tasty, harmonious appellation to take you on a journey!

Pieropan - Valpolicella Superiore Ruberpan 2021

Azienda Musella - Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2017

Valpolicella Superiore|Red wine

3/5 (2 reviews)

92/100 James Suckling

14/20 Bettane & Desseauve

(2016 vintage notes)

corvinone

corvina

elegant

woody notes

This beautiful Ripasso red, which gets its character and color from "ironing" the fermented must of Amarone, reveals elegant notes of red fruit and spices, finely wooded, and offers a full-bodied palate, with a fine balance between acidity and tannins... A must-try!

Azienda Musella - Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2017

Delibori - Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2014

Valpolicella|Red wine

3.4/5 (8 reviews)

The Ripasso technique, so particular to Valpolicella, brings structure and complexity to this blend. With its intense, almost black color, the concentration of this wine is immediately apparent: ripe aromas of black fruits and spices mingle in the glass. The palate is rich and elegant. A superb cuvée to be reserved for typical Italian dishes!

Delibori - Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2014

Delibori - Valpolicella 2015

Valpolicella|Red wine

3.1/5 (8 reviews)

The ruby-red Valpolicella has riper aromas of cherry, raspberry and plum, with a hint of herbaceousness. The palate is crisp, lively and sublimely juicy. Valpolicella DOC or Crus du Beaujolais - you could almost get lost! What superb value for money!

Azienda Musella - Valpolicella Superiore 2012

Valpolicella Superiore|Red wine

4/5 (2 reviews)

With its ruby-red color, this Valpolicella Superiore boasts freshness and purity of fruit on the nose, with plenty of character. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's a pleasant wine with a finish of dried flowers... An excellent introduction!

Azienda Musella - Valpolicella Superiore 2012

Stefano Accordini - Valpolicella Classico Superiore Acinatico 2010

Valpolicella Classico Superiore|Red wine

4/5 (3 reviews)

Valpolicella Classico Superiore Acinatico is a special red wine, made partly from Amarone marc, giving it the structure, tannic strength and bouquet typical of a refined, intense and delicate wine, with fine notes of spice and vanilla... An astonishing wine!

Stefano Accordini - Valpolicella Classico Superiore Acinatico 2010

Stefano Accordini - Valpolicella Classico 2012

Valpolicella|Red wine

4/5 (1 review)

This Valpolicella Classico is a red made to be drunk young, fresh and fruity. King Theodoric considered it one of Italy's finest. The finest tribute to it was paid by Ernest Hemingway in one of his novels, where he speaks of it with great affection: "It is dry, red and friendly like a brother's home." What a reference!

Stefano Accordini - Valpolicella Classico 2012

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