The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Veneto

DOCStill huntingEasy

Valpolicella Ripasso DOC

Finished Valpolicella is 'repassed' over the still-warm pomace of Amarone or Recioto for a second short fermentation, picking up alcohol, tannin, color and dried-fruit flavor. The result sits between the two: medium to full bodied, 13 to 14.5 percent, with black cherry, raisin, cocoa, clove and softer tannin than Amarone, at a third of the price. Quality ranges from grapey and sweet-fruited commercial versions to serious wines from Bussola, Zenato and Tedeschi that need a few years. It's the Veneto's most commercially successful invention of the last 30 years.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Valpolicella Ripasso, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Tommasi
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso
The most widely stocked Ripasso in the US, plush black cherry and cocoa, easy to like.
$20 to $25Wine-Searcher
Zenato
Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso
Fuller and more Amarone-like, dried cherry, clove and firm tannin; the reference commercial Ripasso.
$24 to $30Wine-Searcher
Tedeschi
Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Capitel San Rocco
More savory and structured than most, with tobacco and dried herb alongside the fruit; ages five years.
$24 to $30Wine-Searcher