Valpolicella Superiore Wine, Italy: 10 Best Bottles, Characteristics

Valpolicella Superiore is a famous red wine produced in Italy's Veneto region from the Corvina grape variety (also known as Corvina Veronese.)

Let’s explore everything about Valpolicella Superiore wine, including which wines are classified as Valpolicella Superiore, the best Valpolicella Superiore bottles, and some great food pairings. We'll also look at how Valpolicella Superiore is made and other styles of Valpolicella wine.

Which Wines Qualify as Valpolicella Superiore?

For a red wine to qualify as Valpolicella Superiore, it needs to meet a strict set of requirements,  such as:

• Produced using Corvina Veronese and other grapes exclusively from the Valpolicella region in Veneto, northeastern Italy
• Aging for a minimum of one year in wooden vats (usually oak barrels)
• Must have an alcohol percentage of at least 12%

There are two Valpolicella Superiore wine styles: 

• Classico Superiore: Classico Superiore refers to the basic Valpolicella Superiore wines. Once the alcoholic fermentation is complete, they are aged for a minimum of one year in oak barrels before bottling.
• Ripasso Superiore: Ripasso Superiore wines are made with Amarone pomace (the dried Amarone skins and grapes left after the Amarone alcoholic fermentation), which undergoes a second fermentation. This gives Ripasso a more concentrated flavour compared to Classico Superiore.  

Now, let's take a look at the best bottles of Valpolicella Superiore and their tasting notes. 

10 Best Bottles of Valpolicella Superiore To Buy Now

Here are some great Valpolicella Superiore bottles worth checking out right now:

• 1995 Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore
• 1971 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore
• 2013 Ferragu Valpolicella Superiore
• 2013 Tedeschi 'La Fabriseria' Valpolicella Classico Superiore
• 1965 Bertani Recioto Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto
• 2011 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore
• 1990 Corte Sant'Alda Mithas Valpolicella Superiore
• 2013 Marion Valpolicella Superiore
• 2001 Tommaso Bussola TB Valpolicella Classico Superiore
• 2013 Monte dei Ragni Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore

1. 1995 Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore ($206)

This 1995 Valpolicella Superiore has a deep red hue with aromas of plums and wild berries. 

The smooth palate has notes of almonds, walnut, chocolate and a decent tannin level. The finish is silky with oak and vanilla hints.

2. 1971 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($576)

This 1971 Guiseppe Quintarelli is a full-bodied Valpolicella DOC wine with a reddish-brown color. The nose has aromas of raisins, rose, and Madeira. 

On the palate, there are hints of spices and stone fruit, while the medium-length finish is sweet and complex. 

3. 2013 Ferragu Valpolicella Superiore ($47)

This Valpolicella Superiore has a deep red color with aromas of dried fruit on the nose. The palate has baked vegetables and bearnaise sauce flavors with black fruit hints. 

The finish is dry and fairly balanced. 

4. 2013 Tedeschi 'La Fabriseria' Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($34)

This Italian wine has a ruby red hue and hints of sour cherry and plums on the nose. 

On the palate, there are flavors of blueberry, cassis, blackberry and ripe cherry. The palate reveals high acidity, velvety tannins, and medium-length finish. 

5. 1965 Bertani Recioto Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto ($750)

This 57-year-old Valpolicella DOC Superiore vintage has a bright aroma of dry cherry, leather and plums. 

The full-bodied wine has velvety tannins with dark fruits, tobacco and prune notes on the palate. The finish is smooth and silky with a hint of vanilla. 

6. 2011 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($92)

This is a dark red wine with stunning notes of blackberry and raspberry on the nose. 

This full-bodied Valpolicella DOC wine has silky tannins and flavors of chocolate, ripe cherry, prunes and plums on the palate - while the finish is long, sweet and smooth. 

7. 1990 Corte Sant'Alda Mithas Valpolicella Superiore ($93)

This 1990 standard Valpolicella Superiore has a shiny ruby red hue and a powerful floral and ripe cherry aroma.

On the palate, there are flavors of wild berries, cherry, and dried fruit, followed by fresh acidity and a long, complex finish. 

8. 2013 Marion Valpolicella Superiore ($30)

This silky Valpolicella DOC Superiore has a pale red color with a bright aroma of fennel, thyme, and blackberry. 

The palate has notes of dried fruit and herbs - leading to an intense finish. 

9. 2001 Tommaso Bussola TB Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($115) 

This rich Valpolicella DOC Superiore has dark fruit aroma hints. On the palate, there are velvety tannins and notes of blueberries, marionberries, and vanilla.

The finish is smooth and long, with hints of chocolate and coffee. 

10. 2013 Monte dei Ragni Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore ($65)

This 2013 vintage Italian wine is a Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso with a velvety-red color and aromas of plums and vanilla. 

The palate has hints of black pepper, leather, ripe cherry, and wild berries. The wine has a dry, acidic finish with notes of truffles and prunes.

Valpolicella Superiore Food Pairings

Valpolicella Superiore's rich palate and alcohol content make the wine a great pairing with roasted meats - especially steak, venison, and other red meat dishes.

If you're looking for a veg pairing with this Italian wine, you can try it with roast summer vegetables and pasta.

Wondering how Valpolicella Superiore is made?

Let's take a look.

How is Valpolicella Superiore Made?

Here’s the standard Valpolicella Superiore winemaking process:

• Harvest: The grapes for Valpolicella Superiore are harvested by hand from mid-September until the end of October. 

Winemakers mostly use the Corvina grape, while other grapes are added in small quantities to the blend.

• Alcoholic Fermentation: The grapes are crushed, and the fermentation process begins. 

To make Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, leftover Amarone skins are added to the wine after the first round of fermentation is completed. 

• Aging: The wine is aged in oak barrels for at least 12 months. 

Let's explore the Valpolicella wine region and the other Valpolicella wine styles.

Other Valpolicella Wine Styles

Besides Valpolicella Superiore and Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso, there are three other types of Valpolicella DOC wine produced in the Valpolicella Classica region:

• Valpolicella Classico: The standard Valpolicella and the most famous wine of the region, Valpolicella Classico is a light, fruity wine meant to be consumed young. 
• Amarone della Valpolicella: The Amarone wine is made with dried Corvina Veronese grapes. The dried grapes give the Amarone wine a rich fruity aroma and a dry texture. 
• Recioto della Valpolicella: Recioto wines are made with dried grapes (similarly to Amarone wine) but are classified as dessert wines. Winemakers stop the fermentation process before all the sugar is fermented, resulting in a higher sweetness level in the final wine. 

Valpolicella Superiore: A Lush Red Wine for Any Occasion

Valpolicella Superiore is a highly sought-after wine that can make an excellent drink for any occasion - from a Christmas Eve dinner to a quiet night at home.

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