Bottega Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 75cl

Richer than your average Valpolicella and way more fun than a “serious” bottle that forgets to taste good. This is a Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore from Italy, which basically means you’re getting that extra layer of flavour and texture that makes a red wine feel like it has a story to tell.

Ripasso is the cheat code here. Part of the wine is passed over the leftover grape skins from Amarone production, then it gets a second fermentation. So what? You end up with deeper colour, more dark fruit, and that gently savoury, cocoa-and-spice thing that keeps pulling you back for another sip. Superiore on the label matters too, it signals a step up in concentration and structure, so this doesn’t drink like a lightweight red.

• Appearance: Deep ruby with hints of garnet, with a slightly weighty look in the glass that matches the “Ripasso” richness.
• Nose: Ripe black cherry, baked plum, dried figs, a dusting of cocoa, plus a little dried herb and sweet spice.
• Taste: Dark cherry and plum up front, then hints of chocolate, raisin, and gentle baking spice. Dry, with medium acidity and tannins that feel grippy enough to keep things interesting.
• Body: Medium-full, with that Ripasso roundness that makes it feel extra satisfying.
• Finish: Long, warming, and savoury, dark fruit fades into cocoa and dried herbs.

When you want an Italian red wine that can keep up with big flavours, this is the move. It’s bold enough for saucy pastas, grilled meats, and anything involving mushrooms, but it still has that Valpolicella brightness so it doesn’t turn into a one-note bruiser. It’s the kind of bottle you open for a casual dinner and suddenly everyone’s paying attention.

And because it’s layered, it’s also a great “conversion” wine. If someone thinks all red wine tastes the same, Ripasso usually changes their mind fast, it’s fruit-forward, but backed by spice, savoury depth, and real structure.

If you’re building a little home rotation, this sits in a sweet spot: more complex than a simple weeknight red, easier to love than something super tannic and intense, and reliable when you want a bottle that feels like a step up.

Fun Fact: The Ripasso method is often nicknamed “baby Amarone” because it borrows Amarone’s leftover grape skins to build extra richness and complexity.