The Perfect Winter Wine!? Vivaldi’s 2014 Ripasso Ai Colli @ $21.95/bottle. 1st Time in Canada.

In the late 20th century, a new style of wine known as ripasso (meaning “repassed”) emerged. With this technique, the pomace of leftover grape skins and seeds from the fermentation of recioto and Amarone are added to the batch of Valpolicella wines for a period of extended maceration. The additional food source for the remaining fermenting yeast helps boost the alcohol level and body of the wines while also leaching additional tannins, glycerine and some phenolic compounds that contribute to a wine’s complexity, flavour and colour. As the production of Amarone has increased in the 21st century, so too has the prevalence of ripasso style wines appearing in the wine market, with most Amarone producers also producing a ripasso as a type of “second wine”. An alternative method is to use partially dried grapes, instead of leftover pomace, which contain less bitter tannins and even more phenolic compounds.

My apologies for the very technical explanation of Ripasso, but it is always nice to understand what it is that you are drinking and how it came to taste so good. The Vivaldi is new to us. The winery fits beautifully with our philosophy as production is small and there is an inordinate amount of care put in to the production of each bottle. You will have a hard time not fawning over this wine.

Winter continues on in full force here in Southern Ontario. Who doesn’t enjoy a nice full bodied and flavourful glass of red wine when they come in out of the cold. Ripasso fits the bill perfectly and does not break the bank.

Don’t fret. Should you be looking for one of the Ripasso’s you have purchased from WineOnline.ca in the past, both the San Pio Ripasso and Luigi Righetti’s Campolieti Ripasso are featured below. Both wines have been client favourite’s at WineOnline.ca for a very long time.

A last reminder that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. The deadline for purchasing flowers from WineOnline.ca is tonight at midnight. Click here to view all the choices. All flower orders will be hand delivered by a member of WineOnline.ca’s staff.

Wishing everyone a relaxing Sunday!

CAMPOLIETI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO BY LUIGI RIGHETTI 2013

Bottle Price :  $21.95
Case Price :  $263.40
Winery :  Luigi Righetti
Wine Region :  Italy (Italy), Veneto (Italy)
Bottle Per Case :  12 x 750 ml

VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO BY FEUDI SAN PIO 2014

Bottle Price :  $19.95
Case Price :  $239.40
Winery :  Feudi San Pio
Bottle Per Case :  12 x 750 ml
Food Pairing :  Breads, Cured Meat, Hard Cheese, Red Meat, Roasted Vegetables