I was around Lake Garda last month and I was enjoying ripasso valpolicella superiore. In supermarkets you could find good examples (88/89) for under $15. The wines seem to please everyone. Obvious fruit, but you can get the more exotic aromas like peppercorn and herbs that please the wine geeks. The best example I had when there was a Giusti Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore - around $25.
Cheers, great video! Long time no see 😅 I don’t mind the elevated alcohol in Amarone wines, as long as there is structure and fruit to back it up. For me, in a blind tasting they sometimes can show hints of herbaciousness and black olive. And the colour is rarely deep. 🍷
Except for a couple of the top names, I see some pretty good value Amarone, but no question that there are some less expensive alternatives as well. Appreciate your thoughts. Cheers!
Valpolicella reds is one of my favorite categories of wine. The first Amarone I ever had was Bussola and it was life changing. I seem to love all the different styles, but my second favorite I ever had was the Cantina del Garda Valpolicella Ripasso. It’s always fun to see baby Amarone (as Wine Folly calls Valpolicella Ripasso) in a tasting! Super fun.
When i see the theme of cheaper alternative tô Amarone i think you world taste some wines of another grapes and regions with the same passito method, not the others valpolicela wines. Could trie that sameday.
I did a visit and a tasting to Tedeschi last month! Very good wines. They have like 4 or 5 Amarones. Marna is the basic one. I love Amarone and Ripasso is my second choice for sure. Zenato and Tommasi make my favorite ripassos
Top video. No nonsense tasting. I like Amarone wines a lot but they're way too expensive. As your video shows, a lot of excellent alternatives for way lower prices. I made my choice a long time ago ;-)
you are one of the greatest wordsmith in the history of wine tastings! so very entertaining. you should do a worldwide wine expo for connoisseur. i would attend!
If you want a "fresher" Amarone I suggest the Guerreri Rizzardi 3 Cru Amarone. I, like you, feel like traditional Amarone is a bit much for me. But the 3 Cru is lighter and has a little bit of acidity that makes it feel just right. It's also one of the less expensive Amarones I've seen that are good. As far as cheaper replacement, there are Primitivos from Puglia that are also made with the Apacimento method (the one I'm thinking is from Gran Appasso) that give you the big bold flavors and high ABV for half the price or less.
Thank you. I do like an Amarone, but pricewise i drink more valpolicella Ripasso and superiore. I visited the Zenato winery and it is both nice as it is a factory also. You can do the same with Barolo, nebbiolo ans barbera as the will be not easy to identify in a tasting. #keeptasting #keepsharing
I am not anti-Amarone, but I do have an issue when they try to be bigger and richer at the expense of balance, freshness & savoriness. And then there is the price, yes they are certainly not inexpensive wines; though there is one at our Costco occasionally in the 25--30 US$ range that isn't bad. We did have an incredible Amarone for Christmas 2021 "Zeni Vignealte Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013", which was a gift from by brother back in 2018. The chocolate, prunes and raisins were balanced by forest floor, savory, earthiness and good acidity. So it can surprise you at times, but yes Valpolicella Ripasso or Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is a safer bet in most cases and definitely easier on one's wallet. They are also better balanced between richness and freshness and drinkability as well. I think spending 40, 50 + US$ or euros on a wine that doesn't have the wow factor for you when you drink it is sad.
Veneto may be a little cooler than parts of southern Italy but when I visited Valpolicella in the summer, it was HOT. Basically a heat trapping valley.
Haven't gotten the right motivation to get an Amarone, tried a Ripasso and it was fantastic. Kinda felt like a pinot noir but with the dials turned up.
Great tasting because the veneto beat out all the rest of europe in my view. the best wines in Veneto are the Rosso Veroese. They made those wines within the IGT Rules and those wines are ultra but luckely unknown.,
@@drmatthewhorkey I think ultimately I go the other way than you on this one having now tried the other Tedeschi wine (I prefer the Amarone). In the V Superior oddly enough, because there was less going on/less concentration, I found the olive taste more overpowering.
Matthew, Need some help! It’s all good! My wife and I have been invited to a private dinner in September in San Remo while we are in Camogli, Italy. The host is a personal friend who owns a restaurant here in Scottsdale, AZ that we frequent often. I want to bring a local wine that is appropriate with seafood. Please point me in the right direction. A Ligurian white? Thanks in advance. Love your YT videos.
That was fun. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Remarkable how the Valpolicella Sup. and Ripasso's hold up against the Amarones. For a daily red wine I often go to the Torre del Falasco Ripasso from the Cantina Valpantena. Everybody likes that full bodied, soft and fruity wine. A bargain for 12-13 euro. I would like to hear your opinion on Barbera's as well. Personally I often favour them over Nebbiolo.
Are Amarone's more expensive in the US, than in Europe? They aren't that sought after in Europe i think and they aren't really expensive in my experience. edit: they are liked and have their place, but advanced drinkers mostly aren't really enamoured beyond what they are worth. Maybe I'm wrong on the high end, but that's my experience.
I love amarone. I discovered it in 2021 at work and its been no.1 for me since then. It was tomassi wine tasting. Arele, rafael,ripasso, lugana and amarone. Arele has similar process to amarone, but only 30% of grapes are left to dry for 45 days on a bamboo racks. I drink amarone once a month and drink ripasso instead. A lot.
a favorite valpo for me, for what it'S worth, is the really good value Nicolis Seccal Ripasso (25$). Let it sleep a few years and it'S really pretty Amarone, no crush yet
So, when it comes to the Veneto wines, I have a relationship with them that is not dissimilar with how I feel about the Primitivo wines. I started out with the cheaper basic wines from famous producers, and they're fine. Then, when I went for the wines a level above, I didn't notice any difference, or, in some cases, felt they were not as good as the cheaper stuff. I've never had any Amarone, and have never felt the urge to drink it as well. I always suggest Ripasso, Valpolicella Classico and Primitivo di Manduria for beginners, though. I think they're easy to like.
One of my go-to, Amarone styled wines it's "Malanotte", pretty obscure appellation but also from the Veneto region, part of the grapes are dried and made into raisins and it's also aged in oak for a long time. If you have the chance I highly recommend it. One of the most interesting wine I tasted.
Tommasi’s Valpolicella Classico Superiore is one of my favorite Valpolicella wines. I wasn’t a fan the first time I tried an Amarone because of the high alcohol, La Giaretta Amarone Valpolicella 2016 and I like it now in small doses.
Thank you for this very timely review. We are headed to Verona for a week in September. In doing some homework for the trip, we find that ripasso’s are our sweet spot for the $$. We also like Valpo Classico Superiore. When out at a restaurant, we stay away from Amarone’s because it takes at least an hour for them to properly open up. We are planning to visit some wineries while there. Any recommendations? Thanks again, PS After Verona, we are staying in Montepulciano for a week. Can’t wait!
you can visit Tedeschi (the one with the wines featured in this episode) and Tommasi in the same day. They're pretty close to each other. I did it. In the same area you can find Bolla, Speri and Farina (also in this ep). All walking distance.
@@drmatthewhorkey That's true but it's a turkey shoot trying to find one that's good value. I find you have to look outside the expensive regions which are selling to wealthy overseas markets. I keep banging on like a stuck record but I think a few Spanish episodes will really put pricing into perspective.
Want more Amarone? Amarone Explained Video:: ua-cam.com/video/SG2YhwX8yN4/v-deo.html
I was around Lake Garda last month and I was enjoying ripasso valpolicella superiore. In supermarkets you could find good examples (88/89) for under $15. The wines seem to please everyone. Obvious fruit, but you can get the more exotic aromas like peppercorn and herbs that please the wine geeks. The best example I had when there was a Giusti Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore - around $25.
Ahhh a beautiful place!
Cheers, great video! Long time no see 😅 I don’t mind the elevated alcohol in Amarone wines, as long as there is structure and fruit to back it up. For me, in a blind tasting they sometimes can show hints of herbaciousness and black olive. And the colour is rarely deep. 🍷
Cheers, I hope your exam went well. Maybe you even got an Amarone in the blind tasting 😎
@@drmatthewhorkey hopefully not. 😅 Because I didn’t write that, but I will get to know the wines soon. 🙌🙌🍷
Except for a couple of the top names, I see some pretty good value Amarone, but no question that there are some less expensive alternatives as well. Appreciate your thoughts. Cheers!
I figure you have some Dal Forno in the cellar!
Valpolicella reds is one of my favorite categories of wine. The first Amarone I ever had was Bussola and it was life changing. I seem to love all the different styles, but my second favorite I ever had was the Cantina del Garda Valpolicella Ripasso. It’s always fun to see baby Amarone (as Wine Folly calls Valpolicella Ripasso) in a tasting! Super fun.
🙏🙏
When i see the theme of cheaper alternative tô Amarone i think you world taste some wines of another grapes and regions with the same passito method, not the others valpolicela wines.
Could trie that sameday.
Possibly!
I did a visit and a tasting to Tedeschi last month! Very good wines. They have like 4 or 5 Amarones. Marna is the basic one. I love Amarone and Ripasso is my second choice for sure. Zenato and Tommasi make my favorite ripassos
Nice, I’m a fan of their Monte Olmi Amarone Riserva too
@@drmatthewhorkey Grazieee
Top video. No nonsense tasting. I like Amarone wines a lot but they're way too expensive. As your video shows, a lot of excellent alternatives for way lower prices. I made my choice a long time ago ;-)
Thanks a lot!
you are one of the greatest wordsmith in the history of wine tastings! so very entertaining. you should do a worldwide wine expo for connoisseur. i would attend!
Hahahah thank you for the kind words
Amarone are still my favs!
A lot of other people too :)
Love the tip about Nicalo! I never tasted and now I am gonna buy it ! Cheers !
Cheers!
If you want a "fresher" Amarone I suggest the Guerreri Rizzardi 3 Cru Amarone. I, like you, feel like traditional Amarone is a bit much for me. But the 3 Cru is lighter and has a little bit of acidity that makes it feel just right. It's also one of the less expensive Amarones I've seen that are good.
As far as cheaper replacement, there are Primitivos from Puglia that are also made with the Apacimento method (the one I'm thinking is from Gran Appasso) that give you the big bold flavors and high ABV for half the price or less.
Yes there are several down that way or just a plain Primitivo di Manduria
Thank you. I do like an Amarone, but pricewise i drink more valpolicella Ripasso and superiore. I visited the Zenato winery and it is both nice as it is a factory also.
You can do the same with Barolo, nebbiolo ans barbera as the will be not easy to identify in a tasting.
#keeptasting #keepsharing
Zenato is a fantastic producer
I am not anti-Amarone, but I do have an issue when they try to be bigger and richer at the expense of balance, freshness & savoriness. And then there is the price, yes they are certainly not inexpensive wines; though there is one at our Costco occasionally in the 25--30 US$ range that isn't bad.
We did have an incredible Amarone for Christmas 2021 "Zeni Vignealte Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013", which was a gift from by brother back in 2018. The chocolate, prunes and raisins were balanced by forest floor, savory, earthiness and good acidity.
So it can surprise you at times, but yes Valpolicella Ripasso or Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is a safer bet in most cases and definitely easier on one's wallet. They are also better balanced between richness and freshness and drinkability as well. I think spending 40, 50 + US$ or euros on a wine that doesn't have the wow factor for you when you drink it is sad.
That is a pretty good point, wines in the 40-50 range should be exceptional if you know what you're looking for!
Veneto may be a little cooler than parts of southern Italy but when I visited Valpolicella in the summer, it was HOT. Basically a heat trapping valley.
Of course! Cooler climate regions still get plenty hot in the summer
Haven't gotten the right motivation to get an Amarone, tried a Ripasso and it was fantastic. Kinda felt like a pinot noir but with the dials turned up.
Good descriptor!!
I generally prefer Appassimento or Zinfandel, you get much more for your money, a good one of either can easily beat an average Amarone.
Can be a good strategy indeed
Great tasting because the veneto beat out all the rest of europe in my view. the best wines in Veneto are the Rosso Veroese. They made those wines within the IGT Rules and those wines are ultra but luckely unknown.,
Rosso Veronese can be very good!
yoo Mathew? what happened to Zegaani Saperavi reviews? 🙄
It will be in a future video…
Tried the Tedeschi Amarone recently and loved it, intrigued to hear about the alternatives from Tedeschi
Nice! Glad you liked it
@@drmatthewhorkey I think ultimately I go the other way than you on this one having now tried the other Tedeschi wine (I prefer the Amarone). In the V Superior oddly enough, because there was less going on/less concentration, I found the olive taste more overpowering.
Matthew, Need some help! It’s all good! My wife and I have been invited to a private dinner in September in San Remo while we are in Camogli, Italy. The host is a personal friend who owns a restaurant here in Scottsdale, AZ that we frequent often. I want to bring a local wine that is appropriate with seafood. Please point me in the right direction. A Ligurian white? Thanks in advance. Love your YT videos.
LVNAE makes wonderful wines in Liguria worth checking out
@@drmatthewhorkey Grazie!
Tad means bit, so you don't need to say tad bit.
Thanks
Did u change the title of this?
Yes
That was fun. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Remarkable how the Valpolicella Sup. and Ripasso's hold up against the Amarones. For a daily red wine I often go to the Torre del Falasco Ripasso from the Cantina Valpantena. Everybody likes that full bodied, soft and fruity wine. A bargain for 12-13 euro. I would like to hear your opinion on Barbera's as well. Personally I often favour them over Nebbiolo.
I LOOOVEE Barbera
Are Amarone's more expensive in the US, than in Europe? They aren't that sought after in Europe i think and they aren't really expensive in my experience.
edit: they are liked and have their place, but advanced drinkers mostly aren't really enamoured beyond what they are worth. Maybe I'm wrong on the high end, but that's my experience.
Yes they are after import and taxes etc. I find that many people still do covet the elite names of Amarone
I love amarone. I discovered it in 2021 at work and its been no.1 for me since then. It was tomassi wine tasting. Arele, rafael,ripasso, lugana and amarone. Arele has similar process to amarone, but only 30% of grapes are left to dry for 45 days on a bamboo racks. I drink amarone once a month and drink ripasso instead. A lot.
Ripasso is great for a daily drinker and it’s affordable!
a favorite valpo for me, for what it'S worth, is the really good value Nicolis Seccal Ripasso (25$). Let it sleep a few years and it'S really pretty
Amarone, no crush yet
Nice price!
So, when it comes to the Veneto wines, I have a relationship with them that is not dissimilar with how I feel about the Primitivo wines. I started out with the cheaper basic wines from famous producers, and they're fine. Then, when I went for the wines a level above, I didn't notice any difference, or, in some cases, felt they were not as good as the cheaper stuff. I've never had any Amarone, and have never felt the urge to drink it as well. I always suggest Ripasso, Valpolicella Classico and Primitivo di Manduria for beginners, though. I think they're easy to like.
Those two styles of wines are definitely easy for beginners to like. Good call
One of my go-to, Amarone styled wines it's "Malanotte", pretty obscure appellation but also from the Veneto region, part of the grapes are dried and made into raisins and it's also aged in oak for a long time. If you have the chance I highly recommend it. One of the most interesting wine I tasted.
Ahhhh always something new to learn in wine!
I love regular valpolicella superiore with no raisins! Great video
A good category to like!
Tommasi’s Valpolicella Classico Superiore is one of my favorite Valpolicella wines. I wasn’t a fan the first time I tried an Amarone because of the high alcohol, La Giaretta Amarone Valpolicella 2016 and I like it now in small doses.
Both are very good value for money!
@@drmatthewhorkey The Amarone smelled like Vaseline the first time I tried it. I need more Tammasi Valpolicella.
Thank you for this very timely review. We are headed to Verona for a week in September. In doing some homework for the trip, we find that ripasso’s are our sweet spot for the $$. We also like Valpo Classico Superiore. When out at a restaurant, we stay away from Amarone’s because it takes at least an hour for them to properly open up. We are planning to visit some wineries while there. Any recommendations? Thanks again, PS After Verona, we are staying in Montepulciano for a week. Can’t wait!
Ahh that’s a good call! Enjoy Montepulciano and when in Verona, check out Bottega wine bar
you can visit Tedeschi (the one with the wines featured in this episode) and Tommasi in the same day. They're pretty close to each other. I did it. In the same area you can find Bolla, Speri and Farina (also in this ep). All walking distance.
@@marciobukowski9836 Thank you!
Very enjoyable comparison and alternatives. It does show just how crazy the prices for Italian wines are and why I don't buy them very often.
Thanks! I do believe that Italy does offer some unbelievable values though
@@drmatthewhorkey That's true but it's a turkey shoot trying to find one that's good value. I find you have to look outside the expensive regions which are selling to wealthy overseas markets. I keep banging on like a stuck record but I think a few Spanish episodes will really put pricing into perspective.
I do like Spanish wines and you'll be seeing more on the channel. Getting samples from Spanish producers can be a nightmare hahah
Don't remember tasting peppermint in a red (or, white) wine. Interesting!
Try some Pinot Noirs.... one of them Duckhorn Estate ... i
I get it in reds from several regions but different people pick up different things!
Great video!👍👍👍
🙏🙏😮