Among the gifts that the Bertani winery gave to the wine world, there was the crafting of Secco-Bertani 150 years ago. This wine has been in continuous production since and is rightly considered the “grandfather” of ripasso-technique Veronese wines. The label has not changed either in the last 150 years. As stated in my review of the Secco-Bertani 2004 vintage, this wine is produced according to the true Ripasso technique, which calls for re-fermentation of Valpolicella wine on freshly drawn amarone lees in the spring.

As in the 2004 vintage, this Ripasso shows a color which ranges between a ruby red and garnet. The bouquet is very complex: dried red flowers, ripe cherries, walnuts and spices. On the palate the wine is austere, dry and elegant with medium-firm tannins and a long, persistent finish. The precise blend in this Ripasso is 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. 75% of the wine ages in large Slavonian oak casks, 25% in French oak barriques, for approximately 24 months. This is undoubtly my favorite Ripasso and one of my favorite everyday drinking red wines in general. It really doesn't get much better than this. Retail price is $18.

Pair the Secco-Bertani with medium to firm texture cheeses, cured meats, pasta dishes with rich red sauces, polenta with mushrooms and sausages.

Production Area: Valpolicella, Veneto - ITALY

Evolution: Mature