Buglioni - Il Bugiardo Valpolicella Ripasso 2019
Price: $44.99
Sale Price: $34.99
Producer | Buglioni |
Country | Italy |
Region | Valpolicella Ripasso Classico |
Varietal | Valpolicella Blend |
Vintage | 2019 |
Sku | 13882 |
Size | 750ml |
“If this is not Amarone, then it is a lying wine!” This was the exclamation of an experienced sommelier, when he tasted Buglioni’s first Ripasso wine in 2000, an incident which gave birth to the name, “Il Bugiardo,” or “the liar.”
And, I have to say, if you brown-bagged this, I would swear it is Amarone, and a darn good one at that!
The secret is in their method… Amarone wines are made entirely from grapes that have been left to partially dry, thus concentrating the sugars and intensity of flavor, while developing Amarone’s unique flavor profile.
This gem is made in the "ripasso" style - literally meaning to "re-pass". A portion of the wine is fermented immediately, instead of drying the grapes. Then, in February, after the Amarone is done fermenting and moved to barrels, this juice is re-fermented on the skins and lees from the Amarone - the wine is "re-passed" over the pomace from the Amarone. Hence, Ripasso!
What sets Il Bugiardo apart, and earns its moniker, is the winery’s use of truly dried grapes in the blend as well. Basically, they blend Amarone in with their Ripasso! Unconventional… cheating? I don’t know and I don’t care! The result is a full-throttled wine, just not as sweet and decadent as the Amarone, but with some of the flavor characteristics. Think of it as baby Amarone... or, for me, the best of both worlds!
“The 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Il Bugiardo displays an inviting mix of blackberries, sage, roses, chalk dust and hints of camphor. This is full-bodied with depths of silky textures and a dense core of dark fruits and minerals...perfectly balanced, with a structure that can carry it for many years in the cellar..."Vinous
The winery also owns a restaurant… so let’s meander down the road and see what is on the menu tonight… Hmm… well, for the first course, you pretty much HAVE to try their Risotto con Il Bugliardo – risotto made with the very same wine! Then partake of their specialty – grilled beef! The classic Florentine style T-bone would be my choice! Click on the pic for a recipe.
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