San Michele Valpolicella Classico Superiore 15

Along with Cru Beaujolais, Valpolicella is a favorite autumn red for Hammond and me. We're not quite ready to break out the big beefy reds; however, the cooler days and nights of fall inspire us to pull the cork on mid-weight reds.

Also, like Cru Beaujolais, Valpolicella can vary from light and fruity, all the way to dark and brooding. The Valpolicella Classico Superiore from San Michele is parked right in the middle and features the classic, soft, supple fruit, but without the gentle sweetness of Ripasso.

San Michele's vineyards are located in the Veneto region of North-East Italy. The gently rolling hills of their main vineyards are in the Valpolicella Classico D.O.C., close to Verona and Lake Garda. The area is rich in history and wine culture, claiming second place only to Chianti in total wine production.

The cold winters and warm, temperate summers in the Veneto are perfect for vineyard cultivation, and the morainic gravel soil around Lake Garda provides ample backbone and structure. Here, Corvina is king — it's the essential grape varietal of the region and Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone's main component.

San Michele's vineyards are located in the Veneto region of North-East Italy. The gently rolling hills of their main vineyards are in the Valpolicella Classico D.O.C., close to Verona and Lake Garda. The area is rich in history and wine culture, claiming second place only to Chianti in total wine production.

The cold winters and warm, temperate summers in the Veneto are perfect for vineyard cultivation, and the morainic gravel soil around Lake Garda provides ample backbone and structure. Here, Corvina is king — it's the essential grape varietal of the region and Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone's main component.