Ripasso wines typically have an alcohol percentage of around 13%. This percentage falls in between the alcohol levels of Amarone and Valpolicella Superiore. The Ripasso style is created through a unique and ingenious winemaking technique that involves refermenting Valpolicella wine on the skins and lees of Amarone.
To understand the process of creating Ripasso wines, we must first delve into the production of Amarone. Amarone is made from dried grapes, a process known as appassimento. The grapes are carefully selected and harvested at optimal ripeness. They are then laid out on drying racks or straw mats to dry for several months. During this time, the grapes lose moisture, concentrating their sugars, flavors, and aromas.
Once the drying process is complete, the grapes are gently pressed, and the resulting juice is fermented into wine. Amarone is known for its rich, full-bodied character, high alcohol content, and complex flavors of dried fruits, spices, and chocolate.
After the Amarone wine is fermented and aged, the leftover grape skins and lees are still rich in flavor and potential. This is where the magic of Ripasso comes into play. The winemaker takes a batch of Valpolicella wine, typically a Valpolicella Classico, and introduces it to the leftover Amarone skins and lees.
The Valpolicella wine undergoes a second fermentation on these Amarone remains, which imparts additional flavor, texture, and complexity to the wine. This process is known as the Ripasso method, derived from the Italian word “ripassare,” meaning to pass over or re-pass.
During this refermentation, the Valpolicella wine absorbs some of the dried fruit flavors, tannins, and residual sugars from the Amarone skins and lees. This infusion of characteristics gives Ripasso wines their distinct profile, bridging the gap between the lighter Valpolicella Superiore and the more robust Amarone.
The resulting Ripasso wine typically showcases a deep ruby color, enhanced body, and a richer, more concentrated flavor profile compared to Valpolicella Superiore. It often exhibits notes of dried cherries, raisins, plums, and spices, with a velvety texture and a hint of sweetness from the residual sugars.
The alcohol percentage of Ripasso wines generally falls around 13%, which is slightly higher than Valpolicella Superiore but lower than Amarone. This moderate alcohol level contributes to the balance and approachability of Ripasso, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a wine with more body and depth without the full-bodied intensity of Amarone.
Ripasso wines are created through the ingenious technique of refermenting Valpolicella wine on the skins and lees of Amarone. This process imparts additional flavor, texture, and complexity to the wine, resulting in a unique style that falls between Amarone and Valpolicella Superiore. With an alcohol content of around 13%, Ripasso wines offer a balanced and approachable option for wine enthusiasts looking for a bit more body and richness.