Ripasso is a red produced by Villabella in Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy. Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Cellarion's sommeliers have reviewed the drink window of 1 vintage; members see when it is ready. Track this wine and manage your cellar with Cellarion — the free, open-source wine app at cellarion.app.
Type: Red
Appellation: Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
Tasting profile
Structure: full-bodied, medium tannin, medium acidity, dry
Ripasso is a technique rather than a place: once Amarone has been drawn off, the finished Valpolicella is pumped over the still-warm dried skins left behind and refermented on them, picking up colour, alcohol, glycerol and a share of Amarone's raisined depth. The nickname is baby Amarone. Corvina leads with Rondinella and a little Molinara — the last increasingly rare, since it contributes colour poorly and many growers have pulled it out. Classico marks the historic heartland north-west of Verona; Superiore requires higher minimum alcohol and longer ageing. Expect black cherry and dried fig with cocoa, sweet spice and a faintly bitter almond close, full-bodied with soft ripe tannins. Considerably richer than plain Valpolicella, without Amarone's weight or price.
When to drink
Cellarion's sommeliers have reviewed the drink window of 1 vintage of Ripasso. Sign up free to see when it is ready.
Where it comes from
Veneto, Italy
Veneto is a prolific region in northeastern Italy, running from Lake Garda toward Venice, and one of the country's largest producers by volume.
Corvina
Corvina is a red grape from Italy's Veneto region, the leading variety behind the wines of Valpolicella, including its famous dried-grape styles.
Rondinella
Rondinella is a red grape from the Veneto region of northeast Italy, valued less as a soloist than as a dependable supporting player in the blends of Valpolicella and its powerful cousin Amarone.
Molinara
Molinara is a red grape from the Veneto region of north-east Italy, known chiefly as a supporting player in the wines of the Valpolicella area.
More wines
From Villabella
- Cà del Lago Lugana — Villabella, Lugana
More red wines from Veneto
- Acinatico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico — Stefano Accordini, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
- Altarol — Corte Figaretto, Valpolicella
- Amarone della Valpolicella — Mastia, Amarone della Valpolicella
- Amarone della Valpolicella — Cadis, Amarone della Valpolicella
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ripasso from?
Ripasso is produced by Villabella in Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy.
What grapes are in Ripasso?
Ripasso is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara.