Italians know style, whether it's what to wear or what to drink! I've reported on Italian wine many times, here on The Write Taste, along with Italian craft beer and aperitivos. I've also shown Italian gin at a tasting earlier this year.
So, having returned from my summer holiday in Venice, I thought it was time to recommend a classic Italian drink as 'Tipple of the Month' and what a delight it is!
Founded in 1925, family-owned Veronese winery Pasqua Vigneti a Cantine has garnered an unrivalled reputation for boundary-pushing, high quality winemaking. Its wines have gained numerous accolades, including a Gold Medal and 95 points in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 for its Mai Dire Mai Amarone DOCG 2012.
The company is firmly placing sustainability at the future of its business. Pasqua joined the internationally recognised Equalitas Certification programme in Italy, which covers environmental and economic aspects of viticulture and vinification. In May 2021, it also became a member of the Unione Italiana Vini, working towards organic conversion and certification.
Behind the scenes, the winery has spearheaded sustainable practices. Ten years ago, Pasqua started using lighter glass bottles, moving from 0.410 kg/bottle to 0.360 kg/bottle. Today over 53% of wines use the lighter glass.
September is National Organic Month, a 30-day annual campaign raising awareness about organic farming and production. So now, Pasqua has released its first organic wines: two single-vineyard expressions of the region's iconic Amarone and Ripasso styles.
The organic Cascina San Vincenzo project was conceived in 2016, utilising the exceptional terroir located high up in the hills of Valpantena in the province of Verona, east of Lake Garda. The 4-hectare vineyard lies at an altitude of 350 meters and is planted on calcareous clay soil, typical for the Valpolicella area. Three grape varieties native to this region of Italy - Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella - are organically grown from vines of around 20-years old.
CEO Riccardo Pasqua explains further about the new organic wines, made from these grapes: "Exploring and establishing sustainable winemaking practices that respect the environment and enhance the wines is very important to us at Pasqua. We are thrilled to be introducing our first 100% certified organic wines in the UK, especially these styles which are so close to our wine-making hearts. We can't wait to see them being shared and enjoyed."
Cascina San Vincenzo organic vineyard in the Valpolicella wine appellation
So what is Ripasso? Well, it all starts with Amarone.
The term Amarone, a unique red wine from the Valpolicella region, originates from the word 'amaro' or bitter. Wines are made using the appassimento method, where grapes are air-dried, losing about 30% of their water content, to concentrate sugar, colour, aromas and flavours. Grapes are typically harvested and laid on straw mats or hung up to dry over the autumn months.
Ripasso della Valpolicella is made using the discarded grapes (pomace) remaining from the production of Amarone. These are mixed or re-passed, hence the term 'Ripasso', with fresh, undried grapes. This method allows for some of the intense, raisined fruit character of Amarone to be integrated into a more accessible, dry red wine at a usually more affordable price point.
In 2009, Ripasso della Valpolicella received its own DOC designation.
This wine is made from 60% Corvina, 30% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella and is aged for nine months in lightly toasted oak barrels (tonneaux). ABV is 13.5% and residual sugar level is 6.95g/L.
Appearance: Clear medium-red in colour with shades of ruby and garnet.
Nose: Very aromatic with notes of ripe strawberries and raspberries plus hints of nectarine, demerara sugar and dried herbs.
Palate: Soft notes of ripe red berries and morello cherries with hints of stewed strawberries, black cardamom and light vanilla leading to a decent length finish.
Food Pairing: Excellent with many traditional Italian dishes, such as beef ragu with tagliatelle or pappardelle pasta and hearty meals like meat stews, braised beef, game casseroles, lentils in a tomato-based sauce and aged cheeses. While 13.5% ABV, this wine retains a lightness and freshness but with extra fruity richness and charm.
Cascina San Vincenzo Valpolicella Ripasso 2019 will be available soon from Jeroboams and The Society of Vintners for a very reasonable price of around £24 a bottle. The RRP of the Amarone is £55.
