Italian Fine Wines: Valpolicella or Chianti?

The terroirs are distinct, but the landscapes are similar. Indeed, in both vineyards, the hills roll on and on. These altitudes are interesting for the vines, as they allow the wines to age well with good exposure and slow ripening of the grapes.

These two appellations are renowned for Italian wines. They have become true standard-bearers for Italian vineyards. For Valpolicella, Amarone and Ripasso have become iconic wines. Chianti has become particularly well known thanks to the famous Fiasco, the traditional bottle covered in straw. Tuscany then became Italy's most important wine-producing region and contributed greatly to the revival of Italian wine-making in the late 1960s.

Vine cultivation has been practised in these two vineyards since ancient times. The Romans had already identified these terroirs as suitable for vine growing and developed viticulture techniques. The name Valpolicella comes from the Latin Vallis Pulicella, meaning ‘valley of small vines’.

The term Chianti first appeared in 1716 when the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III, decided to define a geographical area for wine production between Florence and Siena. This area was then expanded in 1932.

The wines produced under these appellations are still red wines. The term ‘Classico’ indicates that the wine comes from vineyards located in the historic heart of Valpolicella production.

These wines are fresh, delicate and refined. They have notes of red fruits such as strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant.

Valpolicella Classico Superiore is more structured and aged for at least one year in barrels. It has a ruby colour with notes of cherry, rose and almond, and a full-bodied, velvety palate with silky tannins.

To make this wine, the freshly harvested grapes are taken to the cellar to dry naturally for 140 days. The dried grapes are then pressed before maceration. During this process, the temperature is controlled to prevent complete fermentation and preserve the sugars.

This wine has a sweetness that comes through in its ageing, making it a sweet, gourmet red wine with notes of dried fruit, cocoa and spices.

The term ‘Ripasso’ comes from the verb ripassare, meaning ‘to pass over’ in Italian, because the wine is ‘passed over’ the remains of the Recioto skins.

1. This process begins with the grape harvest, followed by traditional red wine vinification.
2. The wine is transferred to a vat containing Recioto or Amarone marc.
3. The wine is then left to rest for 15 to 20 days in contact with the marc, during which time a second alcoholic fermentation takes place.
4. The new Ripasso is racked and can be aged in vats or barrels.

This wine has a higher alcohol content. Its nose opens with notes of red fruit, sweet spices, vanilla and cherry. The palate is balanced, enveloping and velvety.

This wine is produced using the passerillage hors pied method: the grapes are harvested and then hung or laid out on racks in well-ventilated areas to dehydrate them. This step concentrates the sugars and aromatic intensity in the berries.

Generally, the blend for this wine includes the main grape varieties of the appellation: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and, more rarely, Molinara.

Amarone della Valpolicella is a rich and complex wine with notes of ripe black fruit, dried fruit and aromas of cocoa, liquorice and tobacco, often with a pleasant bitterness that keeps it fresh on the palate.

As with the Valpolicella vineyards, this is a hilly vineyard with cypress and olive trees and clay, limestone and schist soils. The exposure is ideal, with vines often planted on terraces at varying altitudes between 150 and 500 metres. The grapes ripen slowly, giving them a beautiful balance between concentration and freshness. Tuscany's Mediterranean climate is caressed by sea breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, which help to regulate summer temperatures.

The historic birthplace of the appellation is located between Siena and Florence, before expanding in 1932 to include the following production areas:

1. Chianti Classico: the historic heart of the appellation, with a label adorned with the Gallo Nero, the black rooster that has become the emblem of Chianti
2. Chianti Colli Aretini
3. Chianti Colli Fiorentini
4. Chianti Colline Pisane
5. Chianti Colli Senesi
6. Chianti Montalbano
7. Montespertoli
8. Rúfina

For a simple, convivial meal or an aperitif, choose a young Chianti. If you want a more complex wine to enjoy with more elaborate dishes, you could opt for a Chianti Classico, a Chianti Colli Fiorentini or even one with the Riserva designation.

For a novice: introduce them to the appellation with a Chianti Colli Senesi, a wine that is immediately enjoyable and delights the taste buds of most people.

For wine lovers: opt for a bottle of Chianti Classico, or if he has a wine cellar, a bottle of Gran Selezione could be a wonderful gift idea.

The Valpolicella appellation offers a variety of wines made using different winemaking techniques, allowing you to enjoy everything from classic red wines to sweet red wines and even repassato wines.

To understand Italian wine, you can't ignore Tuscany! This wine region offers you the opportunity to taste the varied expressions of the Sangiovese grape variety: from the most fruity to the most powerful and complex.

Vinatis offers a wide range of wines to explore all the facets of these two appellations at all prices and for all occasions.