Five tasty suggestions to seek out for sampling

Valpolicella Classico 2012, Allegrini, Italy red, $16, SAQ #11208747. Tart cherries, crunchy acidity, delicate and fruity, but still with some decent length. Just a touch of pepper on the finish. Yummy. Classic. Keep cool. Serve at 15 C. Drink now-2015. Foodpairing idea: apéritif, bruschetta. Valpolicella 2012 , Rio Albo, Ca’Rugate, Italy red, $17.45, SAQ #10706736. Thought this was a Ripasso when I opened the bottle. The cherry is there, but it's darker, sweet- er. A rich fruitiness with a nice mineral streak running through it. Serve at 16 C. Drink now-2016. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, roast chicken. Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2004, Quintarelli, Italy red, $83.25, SAQ #12098050. One for the ages, and even better than the 1999 (the last one I had the pleasure to drink). The extra 15 per cent here is a blend of everything from nebbiolo to cabernet sauvignon. Fruit is already complex, ranging from black cherry to black plum to a host of others. But it's the texture that is deadly — rich, yet with a remarkable freshness. Serve at 18 C. Drink now-2020. Food-pairing idea: lamb chops, no sauce. Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2010, Ripassa, Zenato, Italy red, $28.35, SAQ #974741. This is very good. Tannins are gritty and grip the tongue. The fruit — plums and cherry — has just the right sweetness to it. Lots of spice on the finish. This wine has pop. Despite the heft, great elegance and freshness. Serve at 18 C. Drink now-2018. Food-pairing idea: roast chicken or pork with mushrooms. Valpolicella Ripasso 2010, Bosan, Cesari, Italy red, $31.25, SAQ #11355886. A touch more modern, as it is a touch more marked by oak. Richly textured with dark sweet fruit and a touch of chocolate and spice on the finish. Still shows the hallmark freshness. Serve at 18 C. Drink now2018. Food-pairing idea: braised meats like osso bucco.