Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore 'I Lasi'

Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore 'I Lasi' 2020 is a red from Villa Canestrari in the Illasi Valley hills near Verona. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta and Spigamonte ferment first on their own, then again on Amarone grape skins, the ripasso step that gives it more body. It ages at least a year in large oak casks. Expect ruby red, sour cherry and sweet almond, and more weight than a standard Valpolicella, at 14.15% alcohol. Pour it with game and hard cheeses. Delivered across Ontario.

The producer

Villa Canestrari has made wine since 1888 at Colognola ai Colli, near Verona, and grows its grapes on the Illasi Valley hills.

The vineyards

Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta and Spigamonte from south-west facing hills up to 200 m, on tuff and alluvial soils over layered marine limestone. The vines are trained on pergola and Guyot and picked by hand from about the end of September.

How it's made

The grapes are crushed and destemmed, then fermented at 24 to 28°C with a long maceration, followed by malolactic fermentation. A second fermentation is started on Amarone grape pomace. The wine spends some months in steel, at least a year in 2,000-litre oak casks (10 to 15% new) and some months in bottle.

How it tastes

A ruby red wine. Sour cherry and sweet almond lead, and the body is fuller than a standard Valpolicella.

How to serve it

Serve at room temperature in large glasses with hearty meat, game, hard cheeses such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, or mature Monte Veronese.