Valpolicella Ripasso is an appellation in the province of Verona, in Veneto. It became a DOC in its own right in 2010, separating from the Valpolicella DOC. The production rules were last updated in 2023.
The grapes
Ripasso is made from 45 to 95% Corvina and Corvinone, with 5-30% Rondinella. Up to 25% can come from other red grapes, but none above 10%, and aromatic varieties together cannot exceed 10%. It is the same base as Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella.
Superiore and subzones
Alongside the Rosso there is the Superiore. The wine ages about one year and is released from 1 January of the second year after the harvest; the minimum alcohol is 12.5%. The Classico subzone covers the communes of Fumane, Marano di Valpolicella, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano and Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella; the other is Valpantena.
