What kind of wine is Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC 'Arusnatico' 2019 - Valentina Cubi

Valentina Cubi's Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC "Arusnatico" 2019 is born in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, from a winery that has made organic farming an authentic production philosophy. It is a red wine with an elegant and harmonious profile, made from Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes, among the symbolic grape varieties of this Venetian denomination. The term "Ripasso" indicates a particular winemaking technique that gives the wine greater structure and complexity: the young Valpolicella is "repassed" over the pomace (the residual skins) of Amarone, from which it absorbs aromas, body, and softness, resulting in a richer and more intense wine.

Vintage Details

The 2019 vintage was balanced, characterized by a mild summer and a regular harvest, with perfectly ripe grapes. This allowed for a harmonious wine, with beautiful aromatic concentration and well-ripe tannins. "Arusnatico" thus best expresses the qualities of Valpolicella's hilly terroir, combining freshness and depth of taste.

Winemaking and aging

After the initial fermentation, the wine is repassed over the Amarone skins for about 15 days, a process that enriches its color, structure, and aroma. This is followed by an aging period divided between second-passage oak tonneaux and first-passage barriques for about one year. This balance between new and used wood allows the wine to refine without masking its fruity notes and varietal character.

Tasting Notes

Color: Visually, it presents an intense ruby red with delicate garnet reflections, a sign of good evolution. Nose: On the nose, it opens with aromas of ripe cherry and plum, followed by sweet spicy notes and a hint of vanilla, cocoa, and light tobacco derived from its time in wood. Palate: On the palate, it is full, warm, and harmonious. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, the structure is enveloping yet agile, supported by a pleasant freshness that invites drinking. The aromatic persistence is long, with a fruity and slightly spicy finish.

What dishes to pair Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC 'Arusnatico' 2019 - Valentina Cubi with

This versatile wine perfectly accompanies a wide range of dishes. Excellent with structured first courses and red meats, it is best enjoyed with:

• Risottos with mushrooms or shredded horse meat
• Grilled meats or delicate braised dishes
• Medium-intensity aged cheeses
• Typical Venetian traditional dishes, such as pastissada de caval

Its elegance also makes it an ideal companion for a convivial evening or to accompany more modern preparations based on legumes and whole grains.

Storage and aging: how to store Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC 'Arusnatico' 2019 - Valentina Cubi

To preserve its best characteristics, Valpolicella Ripasso "Arusnatico" should be stored in an environment with a constant temperature, around 14-16°C, with controlled humidity and away from direct light. The bottle should be kept horizontally to keep the cork consistently moist. Thanks to its good structure and the perfect balance between freshness and softness, this wine can sustain bottle aging for 5-7 years without losing elegance, offering increasingly complex aromatic evolutions over time.