Valpolicella wine comes from the Veneto region in north-east part of Italy. This is Italy's largest wine-producing region. It is made from 3 types of grapes, mainly corvina but also with addition of molinara and negrara grapes. The corvina grape makes majority of the this wine because of its good structure. Valpolicella wines can very in styles, from light colour, typically good table wines, to delicious wines that have concentrated flavours and have a potential for aging. Most commonly accessible Valpolicella wines are good table wines, they are consistent, easy and ready to drink when you are. Best of all most are fairly inexpensive.

There are 5 styles of this wine. The basic type is named Valpolicella and it is a light wine that is often not aged.

Valpolicella Classico, a better quality wine that come from the original smaller Valpolicella zone.

Valpolicella Classico Superiore, it is another step up in quality. Typically better grapes are used to make this wine and they are aged for a year before the wine is released.  This wine can be marvelous showing rich smoky flavours as well cherry and licorice taste.

Valpolicella Ripasso, yet another higher quality Valpolicella wine. To make this wine, a process called ripasso is needed. It is derived from a verb to do something again. Who knew there was so many varieties and different steps that could be used to make wine. This wine is made by taking the newly made wine and adding it to the mass of leftover seeds and skins. It is left together for a few weeks. As a result of this process the wine picks up a lot of colour, tannins, and flavour. In the end, this type of Valpolicella wine can resemble a delicious zinfandel.

Recioto della Valpolicella. This type of Valpolicella wine is sweet. It is made from the very ripe grapes. These are left to dry so the sugar intensifies. Not a lot of this wine is made but if you ever get a chance to try it you will experience a rich and sweet red wine that is delicious and complex.

TOP PRODUCERS
Allegrini, Masi and Bertani.
Others include Boscaini, Fratelli, Tedeschi, Quintarelli, Tommasi.
 

To read about about the potential health benefits of wine in the prevention of heart disease, stroke and dementia click here.

References:

Stuart Walton. "The World Encyclopedia of Wine", Lorenz Books, 1999.

Karen MacNeil. "The Wine Bible", Workman Publishing, 2001.

Kevin Zraly. "Windows on the World: Complete Wine Course", Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2006.