Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore

VARIETY OF GRAPES: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and other indigenous grapes.
AREA AND SLOPE OF THE VINEYARD "Le Novaje": 1,5 ha, 10%.
ORIGIN: From our vineyard "Le Novaje". A hillside vineyard (320 m a.s.l.) in Valpolicella Classica, with prevalent south/south-east exposure, with marly soil interspersed with thin layers of clay and limestone.
AVERAGE AGE OF THE VINEYARDS: 40 years.
VINEYARD SYSTEM AND PLANTING DENSITY: double pergola with planting density of 3300 vines/ha.
PRODUCTION PER HECTARE: 9000 Kg/ha.
GRAPE HARVEST AND DRYING OF THE GRAPE: Third decade of September with manual harvesting of the grapes, carefully selected, destined for drying. Over-ripening in a traditional hilly fruttaio for about 140 days.
VINIFICATION: Destemming and soft pressing of the grapes during the winter period. Fermentation at low temperature (max 15° C) in small stainless steel tanks for 40-50 days, of which 10 days of cold pre-fermentative maceration on the marc; daily pumping over and delestage; fermentation stop with repeated racking and "cold technology"; malolactic fermentation until completion in wood. Batonnage on its own yeasts in barrique.
AGING: 12 months in wooden barrels; 6 months in bottle.
AGEING AND STORAGE CAPACITY: Well stored, it can reach its full potential in the 6/7 years following the harvest. We recommend bottle lying in the dark, in a cool place, with constant humidity and temperature.
SENSORY PROFILE: Garnet red color, with violet reflections, an intense nose, fruity if drunk young, with hints of red fruit and berries, spices, coffee and bitter chocolate. On the palate a good alcohol content, a great structure, residual sugar such as to make a sweet taste, velvety, warm and enveloping, elegant, very intense and very long aromatic persistence, with strong hints of fruit jam and vanilla.
RECOMMENDED SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Dried desserts, chocolate, spices, bitter chocolate, dried fruit, mustards, cheese, foie gras.

In one of the most evocative corners of the Alta Valpolicella Classica, on the top of a hill, among vineyards, olive groves, cherry trees and ancient dry stone walls, Azienda Agricola NOVAIA, since 1700, dominates the Marano Valley and the plain that separates it from the ancient Roman city of Verona. Here is handed down the ancient tradition of production of fine classic wines: Valpolicella, Ripasso, Recioto and Amarone, wines rich in fragrance, great structure, quality and longevity.

Between the end of the 1800's and the first years of the 1900's, under the guidance of Paolo Vaona, with a great love for the land and an innovative spirit, the company achieved a rapid and remarkable commercial success. 

Today the winery is run by Cesare and GiamPaolo, with their children Cristina and Marcello, winemakers for passion, who continue the family activity with the name NOVAIA, combining tradition to innovation, experience to a new knowledge and wine making technique.