Top 10 Valpolicella Wine for 2025

Valpolicella wine is a beloved Italian red wine from the Veneto region, celebrated for its versatility and rich flavors. In 2025, wine enthusiasts are exploring everything from bright Valpolicella Classico to bold Amarone and smooth Ripasso styles. Below we highlight the top 10 Valpolicella wines picks to try in 2025, showcasing the best of this Italian red wine region.

Valpolicella Wines Styles: Amarone and Ripasso Explained

Valpolicella comes in several styles, each offering a unique experience. Amarone della Valpolicella is the region’s most powerful wine, made by partially drying grapes (appassimento) before fermentation to create a full-bodied, high-alcohol red with concentrated dried fruit flavors. In contrast, Valpolicella Ripasso – often called a “baby Amarone” – is made by refermenting young Valpolicella wine with the leftover Amarone grape skins. This Ripasso method adds depth, body, and a touch of Amarone’s richness to the otherwise lighter Valpolicella. Thanks to these techniques, Valpolicella wines range from fresh and fruity to opulent and complex.

Top 10 Valpolicella Wines Picks for 2025

1. Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 (Red)

Bertani Amarone 2015 is an iconic Valpolicella from one of the region’s historic producers. This Amarone offers a deep garnet color and an intense bouquet of dried cherry, plum, and sweet spice. Full-bodied and elegant, it’s a powerful Italian red wine with velvety texture and notes of raisin, cocoa, and tobacco. The 2015 vintage earned high praise for its balance and long, warm finish. This legendary bottle showcases the pinnacle of Amarone craftsmanship (Availability: Limited; a top-shelf selection for special occasions. Find it in our store. )

2. Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (Red)

Allegrini Amarone is a prestigious Valpolicella renowned worldwide. Produced by the famed Allegrini family estate, this Amarone delivers decadent notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, and dried figs. It’s a robust Italian red wine with polished tannins and a lingering, spicy finish. Allegrini’s Amarone often garners top ratings for its impeccable balance of power and finesse. Enjoy it alongside hearty dishes or aged cheeses. This revered wine embodies the richness of Amarone della Valpolicella. (Tip: Serve after decanting to let its complex aromas open up fully.)

3. Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella (Red)

Tommasi Amarone represents a robust Valpolicella from another esteemed family producer. Deep ruby in the glass, it exudes aromas of ripe blackberries, dried fruits, and a hint of savory herbs. The palate is bold and warming, with flavors of dark cherry, plum jam, and subtle oak spice from aging in Slavonian oak casks. This Amarone is full-bodied with firm structure, yet maintains elegance. Tommasi’s dedication to quality shines through in the wine’s smooth texture and complex finish. It’s a classic Italian red wine choice for 2025 that pairs excellently with game or slow-cooked stews.

4. Masi Costasera Amarone Classico (Red)

Masi Costasera Amarone is a benchmark classic, often introducing wine lovers to the Amarone style. This renowned Valpolicella wine displays a rich ruby color and offers enticing aromas of baked cherry, vanilla, and cinnamon. On the palate, it’s dense and velvety, with Ripasso-like layers of dried fruit, mocha, and sweet spice. Masi ages this wine on hillside vineyards facing Lake Garda (“Costasera”), which contributes to its plush character and balanced freshness. As a full-bodied Italian red wine, Masi Amarone is opulent but approachable, making it a great entry point into top-tier Amarone della Valpolicella.

5. Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella (Red) 

Zenato Amarone is an elegant Valpolicella that beautifully marries power with refinement. Coming from the Zenato estate in Valpolicella Classico, it offers a fragrant nose of blackcurrant, dried cranberries, licorice, and hints of pepper. The flavor profile is rich yet smooth: expect notes of dark berry compote, earthy cocoa, and a touch of leather. This Amarone is full-bodied but with rounded tannins, making it exceptionally drinkable even in its youth. Zenato’s Amarone consistently wins acclaim for quality and is slightly more accessible in price, delivering excellent value in the Italian red wine category.

6. Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone Classico Riserva (Red)

Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone Riserva is a legendary Valpolicella often considered the ultimate expression of Amarone. Quintarelli’s winery, though small and traditional, produces Amarone by only the best vintages and ages them extensively. The result is an ethereal, complex Italian red wine with layers of flavor. You’ll find aromas of dried roses, cedar, prune, and exotic spices. On the palate it unfolds with raisins, dark cherry syrup, coffee, and truffle, all wrapped in silky yet powerful structure. This Amarone Riserva can age for decades and is extremely limited. It stands as a benchmark for the Amarone della Valpolicella style. (Note: Bottles are rare and pricey – true treasures for collectors. Inquire for availability.)

7. Zenato “Ripassa” Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore (Red)

Zenato Ripassa is a rich Valpolicella Ripasso wine that showcases the “re-passed” technique at its best. This Superiore red is made by fermenting Valpolicella Classico with Amarone pomace, imparting extra color, body, and flavor. The result is a velvety, medium-to-full-bodied wine brimming with ripe cherry and blackberry flavors, plus notes of dried herbs and chocolate from the Ripasso method. Zenato’s Ripassa has earned a reputation as an outstanding “baby Amarone” – offering some Amarone depth at a gentler price. It’s an ideal Italian red wine for those who love smooth, bold flavors without the intensity of a full Amarone. Pair it with roast meats, pasta with truffle, or mature cheeses for a delightful experience.

8. Speri Sant’Urbano Valpolicella Classico Superiore (Red)

Speri “Sant’Urbano” Valpolicella Superiore is a refined Valpolicella that highlights the elegance of the region’s non-Amarone styles. This single-vineyard Valpolicella Classico Superiore is made in part with semi-dried grapes, giving it a concentrated character. It offers aromas of red cherries, violets, and mild spices. On the palate, it’s dry and refined, with flavors of black cherry, vanilla, and a hint of forest floor complexity. Aged in oak for over a year, Sant’Urbano bridges the gap between simple Valpolicella and Amarone – it’s robust yet not as high in alcohol. The tannins are smooth and the finish is long with lingering fruit. For 2025, this Superiore is a top pick to experience a Valpolicella wine of great depth that isn’t an Amarone.

9. Allegrini Valpolicella Classico (Red)

Allegrini Valpolicella Classico is a vibrant Valpolicella perfect for everyday enjoyment. Made in the traditional style, this young ruby-red wine emphasizes freshness and bright fruit. The nose is bursting with red cherry, raspberry, and a touch of dried herbs. It’s light to medium-bodied on the palate, with juicy red fruit flavors, low tannins, and lively acidity. As an easy-drinking Italian red wine, Allegrini’s Valpolicella showcases the region’s approachable side – ideal for casual dinners, pizza nights, or antipasti. Serve it slightly cool to highlight its refreshing character. This wine proves that Valpolicella’s charm lies not only in Amarone, but also in the delightful simplicity of its Classico reds.

10. Dal Forno Romano Amarone (Red) 

Dal Forno Romano Amarone is a powerhouse Valpolicella from one of the region’s most acclaimed modern producers. Often mentioned alongside Quintarelli, Dal Forno’s Amarone is known for its intense concentration and depth. It presents an almost opaque ruby color and a profound bouquet of blackberry jam, dark chocolate, molasses, and smoked wood. On the palate, this Amarone is full-bodied and profound, with layers of dried black fruits, espresso, black pepper, and vanilla. Despite its richness, the wine is impeccably structured with firm tannins and balancing acidity, giving it remarkable aging potential. Dal Forno Amarone is an Italian red wine of epic stature (Given its rarity and price, this is a treat for the serious connoisseur.)

Savoring Valpolicella Wine in 2025

From light and fruity to bold and sweet, Valpolicella offers an Italian red wine for every palate. These top 10 Valpolicella wines picks for 2025 capture the region’s diversity and excellence. Whether you’re enjoying a casual Ripasso with dinner or celebrating with a prestigious Amarone, you’ll be tasting centuries of Venetian winemaking tradition. Explore our selection at Garrafeira da Ilha – we offer a curated range of Italian wines, and can assist you in finding the perfect Valpolicella bottle for your needs. Cheers to discovering the best of Valpolicella in 2025!