Italy | Valpolicella

View of Valpolicella Vineyards in North East Italy

Valpolicella is one of the most prestigious wine-making regions in Italy and has been dedicated to wine-making since ancient times. It is located in the eastern part of Veneto, between Verona and Lake Garda, with its boundary demarcated to the north by the Lessini mountains.

The area referred to as ‘Valpolicella Classico’, which is most suited to the production of high-quality, prestigious wines due to its altitude, lies within the boundaries of just 5 towns: Sant’Ambrogio, San Pietro in Cariano, Fumane, Marano and Negrar.

The area is characterised by a series of valleys crossed by ‘progni’ - small, torrential water courses - and is steeped in history and culture with ancient parish churches, Renaissance villas and important examples of rural architecture dotted throughout the region.

The red wine known as Valpolicella is typically made from three grape varieties: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara. A variety of wine styles are produced in the area, including the 'Appassimento' style Amarone della Valpolicella and its sweet counterpart Recioto. Appassimento is a process of making wine which involves drying the grapes after harvest in the winery - which concentrates the sugars, flavour compounds, and acidity - before pressing. The time of pressing is dictated by the Valpolicella consortium so that a desired minimum level of concentration is achieved. Wines made by this process have an increase in alcohol and/or sweetness due to the loss of water.

Most basic Valpolicellas' are light, fragrant table wines produced in a novello style and released only a few weeks after harvest.

Valpolicella Classico is made from grapes grown in the original Valpolicella production zone, whilst Valpolicella Superiore is aged for at least one year and has an alcohol content of at least 12 percent.

Valpolicella 'Ripasso' is a form of Valpolicella Superiore made using the 'Ripasso' winemaking technique. This involves a secondary fermentation whereby the pomace from Amarone, still rich in fermentable sugar, is introduced to the new Valpolicella wine. This increases the alcohol of the wine and at the sametime enriches the flavours. The 'Ripasso' process is often confused with 'Appassimento', which is an entirely separate process, but is a prerequisite for Ripasso, as the rich pomace is required for the re-fermentation to occur.

Delve Deeper

Allegrini Logo

Allegrini | Veneto
Ca'Rugate Marker Stone for Punta Tolotti

Ca' Rugate | Veneto
Cecilia Beretta | The Veneto

Cecilia Beretta | The Veneto
Corte Giara Logo

Corte Giara | Veneto
Azienda Agricola Dal Forno Romano Collection Logo

Dal Forno Romano | Valpolicella
The family crest of Guerrieri Rizzardi

Guerrieri Rizzardi | Veneto
Masi Amarone Classico Bottles in Cellar

Masi | Veneto
Musella Winery Sign on Farm Building

Musella | Valpolicella

THE LINE UP

A bottle of Musella Amarone della Valpolicella on white background

Musella Amarone della Valpolicella 2020
£43.00
£43.00
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Made using the traditional Appassimento method, this is a rich, full-bodied & intensely flavoured wine... Read More...
A bottle of Musella Biodynamic & Organic Valpolicella Superiore Red Wine on a White Background.

Musella Valpolicella Superiore 2021
£20.00
£20.00
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A fresh and lively biodynamic & organic red wine from the Valpolicella region of northern Italy... Read More...
Musella Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Italian Red Wine Bottle

Musella Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2018
£53.00
£53.00
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A bold, opulent & concentrated red with smooth velvety texture and long lingering finish... Read More...
Musella Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Red Wine Bottle

Musella Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2021
£26.00
£26.00
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This biodynamic 'baby Amarone' is a full throttle yet beautifully balanced red... Read More...
Ca' Rugate 'Campo Bastiglia' Valpolicella Ripasso Red Wine Bottle

Ca' Rugate 'Campo Bastiglia' Valpolicella Ripasso 2022
from £22.00
from £22.00
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Award winning Valpolicella Ripasso with an elegant silky texture & a velvety finish... Read More...
Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore Italian Red Wine Bottle

Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2017
from £100.00
from £100.00
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A full-flavoured & silky Valpolicella Superiore from one of Italy's most sought-after producers... Read More...
Masi Toar Valpolicella Chianti Classico Superiore Bottle

Masi 'Toar' Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2022
£23.00
£23.00
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Rich, full-bodied & elegant, Toar is considered the 'Valpolicella of tomorrow'... Read More...
Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella 2008 Bottle

Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2009
£310.00
£310.00
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Not only does Dal Forno know every bunch in his vineyard - he knows every grape! ... Read More...
Corte Giara Valpolicella Ripasso La Groletta Bottle

Corte Giara Valpolicella Ripasso La Groletta 2023
£21.00
£21.00
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From the Allegrini stable this 'Ripasso' has plump red fruit & sweet spices... Read More...
Allegrini La Grola Red Wine

Allegrini La Grola 2021
£29.00
£29.00
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Full bodied, elegant & intense, La Grola was Valpolicella's first single vineyard Corvina... Read More...
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Red Wine

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2022
from £24.00
from £24.00
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Allegrini's take on the Ripasso method. Smooth & velvety with ripe silky tannins... Read More...
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020
from £74.00
from £74.00
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A classic Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from one of the region's finest producers... Read More...
Allegrini Valpolicella 2024

Allegrini Valpolicella 2024
from £11.00
from £11.00
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A lovely intensity of red cherry fruits with a ripe yet zesty palate... Read More...
Masi Angelorum Recioto della Valpolicella Red Dessert Wine

Masi Angelorum Recioto della Valpolicella 2020
£29.00
£29.00
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One of the historic red dessert wines of the Valpolicella region, gorgeous with Gorgonzola... Read More...
Masi Mazzano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG

Masi Mazzano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015
£145.00
£145.00
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The prototype for Amarone, a remarkable wine with imposing structure & soft, silky tannins... Read More...
Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG

Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013
£145.00
£145.00
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Masi's elegant cru version of Amarone, produced only in the finest vintages... Read More...
Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva di Costasera

Masi Amarone Classico Riserva di Costasera 2019
£64.00
£64.00
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A benchmark Amarone, which complements Barolo & Brunello as the aristocracy of the Italian wine world... Read More...
Masi Brolo Campofiorin Red Wine Bottle

Masi Brolo Campofiorin 2022
£23.00
£23.00
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Dry, rich, velvety & elegant there's extra complexity with the addition of the Oseleta grape... Read More...
Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG

Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020
from £29.00
from £29.00
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Majestic, complex and exuberant this is Masi's gentle giant... Read More...
Ca' Rugate Campo Lavei Valpolicella Superiore

Ca' Rugate Valpolicella Superiore Campo Lavei 2023
£27.00
£27.00
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A masterful Valpolicella Superiore boasting concentrated red cherry depth, warm spice, and a velvety finish... Read More...
Cecilia Beretta Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Red Wine Bottle

Cecilia Beretta Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2023
£19.75
£19.75
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Brimming with dark cherry, sweet spice, and velvety chocolate, this is incredibly rich and satisfying... Read More...
Cecilia Beretta Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Terre di Cariano Riserva

Cecilia Beretta Amarone Classico Terre di Cariano Riserva 2016
£48.00
£48.00
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Brooding and intense, this stunning Amarone recently won a Gambero Rosso 3 bicchieri... Read More...