Weekly Saturday Tasting

Valpolicella 101

January 20th
1:00 - 3:00

Valpolicella is best known to Americans as the birthplace of Amarone, but it is home to several styles of wine and millennia of viticultural history. From ancient Greek cellars to contemporary collectible bottles, the red wines of this Italian region might have been favorites of many for years and years. One of the best known Italian appellations, it comes in right on the heels of Chianti and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo in red wine production. Its name is thought to be a mix of Latin and Greek, translating to "valley of many cellars". We will delve this weekend into the three major styles of red wine produced there, starting with Valpolicella Superiore, a lively, accessible everyday Italian table red. Then we'll move on into the spicy cherry charms of Valpolicella Ripasso, a style that could be called the little sibling to Amarone, made by fermenting standard Valpolicella with the remains of the grape skins used to make Amarone. (The name itself translate in to "re-passing", refrencing the second use of those grapes). Finally we will finish with a stunning example of the region's big star, a beautiful Amarone. Amarone, whose name translates to 'great bitter', is made by drying out the ripe grapes on mats or hanging from rafters, and then vinifying these shriveled grapes. The process leads to less juice extracted from the grapes, but the juice they do get is amazingly concentrated and complex. Of course, it is difficult to visit the Northeast corner of Italy without runnning into some Prosecco, so we've included one at the beginning to freshen your palates and get the ball rolling. This should be a fun and educational look at one of Italy's most renowned appellations!
 
Carra Brut Prosecco
Treviso DOC, Italy, NV
 
Carra Volpolicella Superiore
Valpolicella Superiore DOC, Italy, 2019
 
Carra Volpolicella Superiore Ripasso
Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC, Italy, 2020
 
Marchesi Biscardo Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Itlay, 2018