Zenato Ripasso Valpolicella

The Smart "Baby Amarone" of Valpolicella

Discover the ultimate insider secret of Venetian winemaking with Zenato "Ripassa" Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore. Famously dubbed "Baby Amarone" by wine enthusiasts worldwide, the Ripasso style offers a genius middle ground for collectors: it captures the rich, velvety depth of a luxury Amarone at a fraction of the cost. Founded in 1960 by Sergio Zenato on the shores of Lake Garda, the estate single-handedly helped pioneer this specialized style in the late 20th century. Zenato's signature Ripassa stands as an uncompromised masterclass in Italian red wine alchemy—engineered specifically for elegant dinner parties, steak nights, and serious wine lovers seeking incredible complexity.

The defining operational triumph of this wine lies in its double-fermentation framework, known legally as the Ripasso method. The process begins in the autumn when a fresh, lively Valpolicella red wine is fermented from a traditional blend of native grapes—primarily 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta.

Then comes the magic step: in the spring, the winemakers take this fresh red wine and pour it directly onto the warm, leftover grape skins (pomace) salvaged from their freshly pressed flagship Amarone. This secondary contact initiates a brief six-day second fermentation. The fresh wine behaves like a sponge, soaking up the rich sugars, concentrated tannins, and deep dried-fruit complexity left behind on the Amarone skins. The wine is then transferred to mature for 18 months in French oak casks, adding structural roundness and spice without overpowering the fruit.

Taste Profile & Gastronomy

• The Profile: A gorgeous, deeply saturated ruby-red color in the glass with bright garnet rim reflections. It commands a wonderfully integrated, medium-to-full body, a velvety, mouth-coating mid-palate texture, and soft, fine-grained tannins that make it remarkably approachable.

• Flavor Highlights: An inviting, perfume-forward nose bursts from the glass with layers of ripe black cherries, wild blackberries, and fresh red plums, beautifully underscored by sophisticated background layers of dark chocolate, sweet raisins, dried tobacco, and cracked black pepper. The palate entry is deeply concentrated, flooding the mouth with juicy dark berry compote, sweet licorice, and a soft hint of vanilla bean.

• The Finish: Clean, remarkably smooth, and satisfyingly dry-sweet, resolving with an appetizing trail of dark fruit oils, a soft mineral snap, and a lingering trace of baking spices completely free of heavy or astringent oak burn.

• How to Enjoy: Because of its accessible, plush structure and aromatic complexity, this Ripasso shines brightest when served at a cool room temperature (around 62°F to 65°F / 16°C to 18°C). Pulling the cork and decanting the wine for 30 minutes coaxes out its full spectrum of velvet fruit and oak spices.

• Gastronomic Pairings: Thanks to its brilliant combination of rich dark fruit and savory spice undertones, Zenato Ripassa functions as the ultimate weapon at the dinner table. It pairs magnificently alongside slow-braised beef short ribs, grilled ribeye steaks, roasted domestic lamb loin with rosemary, and classic duck breast confit. It is equally spectacular when matched with hearty Italian comfort foods like wild mushroom risotto, lasagna, or an evening charcuterie board packed with cured meats and aged, hard cheeses.

Product Specifications

• Typical Size: 750ml Bottle (Classic Deep-Punted Veronese Glass Framework)

• Origin: Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore, Veneto, Italy

• Winemaker Portfolio: Zenato Family Vignerons (Est. 1960)

• Wine Type: Dry, Medium-to-Full Bodied, Rich Red Wine

• Varietal Blend: 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta

• Methodology: Secondary Fermentation over Warm Amarone Grape Pomace

• Aging Framework: 18 Months in Selected French Oak Barrels followed by Bottle Rest

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): ~14.0%–14.5% (Varies slightly by vintage)

Plush dark cherry wrapped in an opulent Amarone embrace. By pairing a classic Valpolicella base with their legendary Amarone grape skins and patient French oak aging, Zenato Ripassa over-delivers a deeply satisfying tasting experience—serving as the ultimate centerpiece for bistro-style dinner parties, an exceptional housewarming gift, or a rock-solid, high-fidelity staple for your regular home cellar collection.