We try a Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso from Italy of course. Valpolicella rarely disappoints with an easy drinking personality. Mellow, smooth and warm perhaps is a good way of describing it. And to continue in non-technical terms choco cherry!
50% Corvina, 25% Corvinone and 25% Rondinella.
What does this Ripasso mean? It derives from the verb ripassare meaning “passover” or “do something again”. Amarone pomace is added to the fermented Valpolicella for a couple of weeks during which time the wine picks up extra color, tannin and flavour from the Amarone pomace. Amarone wine is made from both “regular grapes” and some grapes that have been left to dry hence their juice is sweeter making the Amarone wine richer and more concentrated.
Aroma: Fresh picked Washington cherries intertwined with cherry syrup and milk chocolate. Compelling simplicity.
Palate: Earthy cherry centric with hints of chocolate covered raisins but not sweet. Valpolicella on steroids.
Personality: Fun loving not bothered by the small annoyances of life. A kind of Zorba the Greek wine!
Food Match: Seared duck breast with cherry and Port sauce.
Cellarbility: This will hold nicely until the end of 2024.
Price: $23 (Ontario).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100. Monica Larmer Wine Spectator 90.
(Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2019, Az. Agr. Brigaldara Soc. Agr., San Pietro in Cariano, Italia, 750 mL, 14.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 16090).
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