Val. Valpo. Valpolicella. Whatever you want to call her, she doesn't care. Just call her. Light and breezy, but not at all lacking in substance and personality, Valpolicella lives life in the shadows of her more popular (and expensive) siblings: ripasso and amarone. But being overlooked means Val is more available, more affordable, and, frankly, more fun. At 12.5%, this 2016 Mazzi Valpolicella Classico ($12) is light enough to gulp, but packs enough acidity and delicious goodness to bring a smile to the end of even the roughest of days. Like its northern cousin schiava, Valpolicella is fleet-footed, often liltingly aromatic, and just damned easy to get along with.
As we look ahead to spring and the change of seasonal cuisines, consider experimenting with Val.
As we look ahead to spring and the change of seasonal cuisines, consider experimenting with Val.
