10 Delectable Valpolicella Ripasso Bottles: Ripasso Method, Taste, Prices (2024)

Valpolicella Ripasso is a luscious red wine hailing from the Veneto wine region in northeastern Italy. 

Crafted from the unique Ripasso method, Valpolicella Ripasso gives you a hint of the opulent Amarone wine without drilling a hole in your pocket.

Let’s discover everything about the stupendous Valpolicella Ripasso - the unique method behind it, tasting notes and characteristics, the 10 best bottles to buy in 2024, as well as some delicious food pairings to accompany this wine.

What Is Valpolicella Ripasso Style?

Ripasso, meaning “repassed” in Italian, is a two-stage fermentation process that gives the regular Valpolicella red wine an Amarone-like taste, color, and increases its alcohol content. 

Valpolicella Ripasso is a blend of three major grapes: the Rondenilla, Molinara, and Corvina grape varieties. 

There are two types of the Corvina grape. 

• Corvina Gentile: Produces elegant and fruity wine
• Corvina Grossa: Gives the wine more tannins and a fuller structure

Inspired by the Amarone production, the winemaking process of Valpolicella Ripasso wine involves the extended maceration of a regular Valpolicella wine with Amarone pomace left after fermentation.

For this, the winemaker adds Valpolicella wine to a cask with the Amarone pomace (partially dried grapes) of an Amarone wine. Once the wine starts to macerate, a second fermentation process begins.

The dried grapes provide a fuller body to the wine as the yeast continues to eat up the added sugars from the Amarone pomace.

However, unlike Amarone, Valpolicella Ripasso is usually aged in French oak rather than Slavonian oak barrels.

Valpolicella Ripasso Wine: Tasting Notes And Characteristics

Typically, Valpolicella Ripasso wine has a high alcohol content of about 13%, a medium-full body, and a vibrant yet dark color. 

The ‘heavier’ Amarone pomace imbues the ‘lighter’ Valpolicella wine with a richer texture, flavor, and aroma than regular Valpolicella. This is why Valpolicella Ripasso is sometimes called “baby Amarone.”

This easy-drinking wine has great tannin texture, notes of ripe red fruit, some sweet spice, and leathery aromas from the second fermentation process and the oak barrels.

10 Best Valpolicella Ripasso Bottles To Buy In 2024 

Here are the best Valpolicella Ripasso bottles:

• 2013 Monte dei Ragni Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy ($64) 
• 2015 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Veneto, Italy ($55)
• 2016 Fattori 'Col de la Bastia' Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($34)
• 2013 Montecariano Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($40)
• 2015 Corte Rugolin Valpolicella Classico Superiore di Ripasso, Veneto, Italy  ($44)
• 2016 Bertani 'Catullo' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy ($31)
• 2011 Cantine Pra Morandina Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso, Veneto, Italy  ($45)
• 2013 Ca dei Maghi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy  ($39)
• 2017 Ottella Ripa della Volta Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($35)
• 2016 Novaia Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($37)

1. 2013 Monte dei Ragni Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy ($64) 

This 2013 Valpolicella vintage has hints of vanilla, red fruits, and leather. You can expect a tart aroma with blackberries and plum notes on the nose.

2. 2015 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Veneto, Italy ($55)

This 2015 vintage wine has notes of black cherry, ripe fruit, and licorice on the palate. It has the delectable aroma of dark fruit, plums, and pears.

3. 2016 Fattori 'Col de la Bastia' Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($34)

This Ripasso has hints of dark fruit, cloves, and vanilla and a medium body, and balanced acidity. The nose gives off an oaky aroma. 

4. 2013 Montecariano Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($40)

This Italian red wine from the Montecariano winery has blueberry, plum, ripe cherry, and baking spice notes with a slightly tart finish.

5. 2015 Corte Rugolin Valpolicella Classico Superiore di Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($44)

This Ripasso wine has notes of oak, plum, and vanilla with a long, velvety finish. Expect the aroma of ripe red fruit on the nose.

6. 2016 Bertani 'Catullo' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy ($31)

This Valpolicella Superiore has a delicate nose of violet and cherry with hints of licorice, cinnamon spice, and crab apple.

7. 2011 Cantine Pra Morandina Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($45)

This Valpolicella Superiore has a full palate with dark fruit, dark chocolate, and pepper notes. The nose gives off dried fruit aromas.

8. 2013 Ca dei Maghi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy  ($39)

This bold Valpolicella Classico has high acidity with silky tannins on the palate. Its bouquet includes oak, vanilla, raisin, and honey aromas.

9. 2017 Ottella Ripa della Volta Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($35)

This Italian Ripasso packs a punch of ripe red fruit flavor and oaky notes. The nose has the delectable aroma of dark chocolate and tobacco.

10. 2016 Novaia Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($37)

A 2016 vintage hailing from the Novaia vineyard in Italy, this red wine is full of raspberry and cherry flavor with a slight effervescence. The nose gives off earthy truffles aromas. 

Food Pairings With Valpolicella Ripasso 

Valpolicella Ripasso goes well with porcini mushroom risotto, pasta dishes, grilled meat, and roasted meats.

It also pairs well with berries, aged cheese, and herby cheese dishes like spinach and feta quiche.

Impress Your Guests With Delicious Valpolicella Ripasso

If you want to taste the exotic flavors of Amarone without paying a hefty price, a Valpolicella Ripasso is the perfect option. 

However, if you’re looking to invest in a fine Italian wine, then a Ripasso may not be the best option.

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