Valpolicella Ripasso "La Casetta" 2018, Domìni Veneti

Made by re-fermenting the young Valpolicella on the skins of the grapes used to produce the Recioto. This Ripasso shows intense ruby red with hints of violet. On the nose, it is and intense and fine wine, with a bouquet of cherries and spices, followed by a warm, full bodied and velvety palate with notes of dried fruits.

"Ripasso doesn’t get much better than this highly polished example. Here, Valpolicella Classico is re-fermented on the lees of recioto (rather than Amarone) and the extra sweetness and softness which that brings to the finished wine really suits the ripasso style. It has sweet and sumptuous fruit with a velvety texture and ripe, round tannins. Extremely persuasive and already drinking well." 92 points (2017 vintage), Decanter

About the Winery

In 1989 Domini Veneti was launched as a premium line of the historic cooperative Cantina Valpolicella Negrar. Producing wine since the 1930’s, they work with 230 small growers and have established themselves as a top Italian Co-op over the century. By defining the Domini Veneti line they chose to work with growers only in the Valpolicella Classico area and use the cream of the crop grape selections for its bottlings. Many vineyards under the DV line are cultivated organically, hand harvested and meticulously cared for by the individual growers.

Amarone is the flagship and legend has it that Gaetano Dall’Ora, the founder of Cantina Negrar, actually discovered the first Amarone here by mistake. When a forgotten barrel of the typical sweet wine Recioto della Valpolicella continued to ferment unexpectedly he exclaimed this is not Amaro, This is AMARONE! Or a bitter wine in comparison to the sweet Recioto. An unforgettable wine was born. As time progressed the production style of the Amarone was refined and today it is winemaker Daniele Accordini who aims to showcase the distinct style and the individual sites where they grow their native vines.