What kind of wine is Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore DOC 2021 - Costa Arènte

The Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore DOC 2021 - Costa Arènte is an elegant and intense red wine, an authentic expression of the Veronese territory. It is made from indigenous Valpolicella grapes — Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella — cultivated in the Valpantena valley, one of the most suitable areas for producing the great red wines of Veneto.

The term "Ripasso" indicates a traditional technique: the Valpolicella wine is "repassed" over the Amarone pomace, meaning over the grape skins still rich in aromas and sugars remaining from the Amarone della Valpolicella fermentation. This natural process gives the wine greater structure, warmth, and aromatic complexity. The result is a medium-bodied red with a velvety note and a perfect balance between freshness and softness.

Vintage details

The 2021 vintage was characterized by balanced weather conditions, with a warm but not excessive summer and good diurnal temperature variations. These conditions allowed the grapes to ripen uniformly, ensuring excellent aromatic concentration and mature, soft, and well-integrated tannins. The result is a harmonious, pleasant, and ready-to-drink wine, but with interesting aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

After a traditional fermentation in steel tanks with a maceration of about ten days on the skins, the young wine is "repassed" over the Amarone pomace — hence the name Ripasso. This second fermentation enriches the wine with aromas, structure, and color. This is followed by an aging period of 9 months in Slavonian oak barrels, which helps refine its taste profile and make it pleasantly round and persistent.

Tasting Notes

The Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore DOC 2021 - Costa Arènte stands out for its balance between elegance and body, combining the classic fruity characteristics of Valpolicella with the depth given by the Ripasso technique.

Color

Visually, it presents a beautiful intense ruby red with slight garnet reflections, a sign of good evolution and balanced extraction.

Nose

On the nose, it expresses ample and enveloping aromas: ripe red fruits like cherry and plum blend with light spicy notes and hints of vanilla and cocoa derived from its time in wood.

Taste

On the palate, it is full and soft, with velvety tannins and a good freshness that balances its structure. The sip is long and harmonious, with a pleasant persistence that recalls the fruity and spicy notes perceived on the nose.

Food pairings for Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore DOC 2021 - Costa Arènte

Versatile and well-balanced, this wine pairs perfectly with traditional Italian dishes and flavorful meats. An excellent companion for:

• structured pasta dishes, such as baked lasagna or tagliatelle with ragù;
• roasts and braised red meats;
• aged cheeses with a strong flavor;
• cured meats and Venetian dishes like pastissada de caval.

Served at a temperature of about 16-18°C, it best expresses its complexity and roundness.

Storage and aging – how to store Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore DOC 2021 - Costa Arènte wine

To preserve the characteristics of Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore DOC 2021 - Costa Arènte, it is advisable to store it in a cool, dark place free from temperature fluctuations, preferably horizontally if the bottle is sealed with a cork.

The ideal storage temperature is between 12 and 15°C, with controlled humidity. Although already ready for tasting, this wine can age further for 4-6 years, developing more complex aromas and greater harmony among its components.