Italy | Valpolicella

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 is produced in the area, including a recioto dessert wine and Amarone, a strong wine made from dried grapes. 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 with partially dried grape skins that have been left over from fermentation of Amarone or recioto.