Valpolicella Classico DOC / Amarone della Valpolicella DOCGCorvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella, OseletaValpolicella Classico, Fumane
A tiny estate in Fumane making organic Valpolicella and Amarone by hand with no added sulfites in the cellar. Piccinin's wines are structured and earthy, beloved by the Italian natural-wine community.
Tip: The Valpolicella Classico is the entry point; ask at Verona wine bars like Osteria del Bugiardo whether they stock a current vintage.
Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC / Amarone della Valpolicella DOCGCorvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, MolinaraDemeter CertifiedValpolicella Classico, San Pietro in Cariano
One of Valpolicella's few Demeter-certified biodynamic estates, run by Carlo and Alessandra Venturini in Castelrotto. Long-maceration Valpolicella and Amarone with no fining or filtering; the wines age particularly well.
Tip: The Saseti Valpolicella Classico Superiore is the accessible entry wine; visit the estate in Castelrotto for a hillside tasting with Alessandra.
Valpolicella Classico DOCCorvina Veronese, Rondinella, Molinaraunder-EUR-25still-red
A light, elegant Valpolicella Classico from one of the appellation's most export-focused estates. Sour cherry, dried rose petal and a hint of bitter almond on the palate; light tannins and fresh acidity.
Tip: Serve lightly chilled at 14-16 degrees C; excellent with pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces or mild salumi.
Bardolino Chiaretto DOCCorvina Veronese, Rondinellaunder-EUR-25still-rose
A pale onion-skin rose from Guerrieri Rizzardi (estate records from 1649) on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Fresh strawberry and white cherry aromas, vibrant acidity and a dry, clean finish. A versatile Chiaretto di Bardolino for food pairing.
Tip: The ideal outdoor wine for an aperitivo on the Garda lakeshore; drink in the year after harvest.
Valpolicella Classico DOCCorvina Veronese, Rondinella, Molinaraunder-EUR-25still-red
Masi's Bonacosta is one of the most consistently available entry-level Valpolicella Classico on the market. Light garnet, cherry and plum fruit with the signature bitter-cherry note of Corvina; soft tannins for everyday enjoyment. An ideal introduction to the Valpolicella zone before exploring Ripasso and Amarone.
Tip: Masi's Campofiorin (Ripasso style) is the natural step up from Bonacosta; try them side by side to understand the appassimento effect.
Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOCCorvina Veronese, Rondinella, Molinaraunder-EUR-25still-red
A serious Valpolicella Classico Superiore from Le Ragose in Arbizzano, a family estate established in the Classico zone in 1969. The Superiore designation requires longer ageing and higher minimum alcohol; this wine shows dried cherry, spice and a darker fruit character typical of hill-grown Corvina at concentrated levels below Amarone.
Tip: Le Ragose's Valpolicella Superiore is an excellent cellar introduction to the estate before investing in their Amarone; shows the same hillside DNA at a fraction of the price.
Valpolicella Classico DOCCorvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinaraunder-EUR-25still-red
The entry Valpolicella Classico from Marinella Camerani's Demeter-certified biodynamic estate in Mezzane di Sotto. Light and precise, showing fresh cherry, herbs and the estate's characteristic biodynamic vitality.
Tip: An ideal gateway wine for natural-wine drinkers discovering Valpolicella; shows how the appellation can produce light, precise reds from biodynamic hillside farming.