2017 SECOLI Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Veneto Italy
While looking through the many wines currently in the Powerbuy section of the West Lebanon Liquor outlet, the label on this wine caught my eye.
I have learned to appreciate a good Ripasso while on this journey of learning about wine. Sometimes it's called the "poor man's Amarone"....
Valpolicella Ripasso is fermented twice, the first time from fresh grapes, the second time in contact with the leftover skins from the making of Amarone wine. The grapes for Amarone wine are first dried on beds of straw for 3 to 4 months at specific humidity levels. So by "passing" the Valpolicella juice with the Amarone skins it adds layers of flavor and structure to the wine.
When first opened, notes of red fruits jumped out at me, then a pleasant spicy/herbal note followed in the nose. It tastes of cherry, raspberry, with a spicy finish. The red fruit notes finish pleasantly as the fine grained tannins fade away.
The second day brought an additional note of plum in both the nose and palate, and a more plush feel in the mouth. Just a delight to sip on by itself, but a good food companion as well.
This is a very versatile wine, it would pair well with bbq, any red sauce dish, venison stew, I had it with thin sliced Charlito's dry cured Mild Chorizo (Co-op) and crumbled Parmesan cheese, and it could be sipped on by itself while sitting in a comfortable chair out on the patio during a warm summer evening.....
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