REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF VERONA

Valpolicella.

Everyone knows Chianti, but Valpolicella? It ranks second in Italian production terms to Tuscany’s renowned Chianti, making gluggable red wines that can be consumed at any time of the year because of their softness, lightness and sweetness. It’s a red you can chill and enjoy with just about any food, generally made using a blend of Italian grape varieties that have been air-dried to increase and/or sweeten their flavour. Visit Valpolicella and you’ll hear the word ripasso a lot; it basically means the wine has been fermented a second time (second pass), which gives it a bit more oomph. You’ll have to trust me; it’s a brilliant area to visit, just so Italian, its hills floated with green vines. Plus, if you’ve ever perused the Italian shelves of a liquor store, you’re bound to have come across the brand Masi. Valpolicella is its home.