La Giaretta, Volpare Valpolicella, 2023
La Giaretta, Volpare Valpolicella, 2023
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2030
From the brilliant husband-and-wife duo—Francesco and Francesca—this Valpolicella is a great example of La Giaretta’s dedication to quality at every level, from their entry wines to their Amarone. You can really taste the care in the glass—it’s effortlessly elegant and full of charm. Silky in texture with vibrant red fruit, a touch of dark chocolate, and just the right amount of depth, it’s the kind of wine that immediately takes you to the hills of Veneto.
Incredibly food-friendly, this is one to keep on hand. It’s a natural with mushroom pasta, grilled steak, or even a midweek roast chicken. Approachable, polished, and seriously drinkable.
This 2023 is drinking beautifully right now, with primary red fruit in perfect balance and the silky texture that defines good Valpolicella. Over the next two years, expect the fruit to integrate further while subtle tertiary characters—leather, dried herbs, perhaps a touch of earth—begin to emerge. The wine will hold its charm until 2030, though it's built more for immediate pleasure than long-term cellaring. Don't overthink this one—it's designed to be enjoyed while the fruit is vibrant and the texture remains silky.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright ruby red with purple highlights, clear and inviting in the glass.
NoseFresh cherry and red plum leap from the glass, followed by subtle dark chocolate and a hint of violet. There's an underlying minerality that speaks to the limestone soils, along with just a whisper of Mediterranean herbs.
PalateSilky and elegant with beautiful balance between fresh red fruit and deeper, richer flavours. The tannins are polished and approachable, while bright acidity keeps everything lively and food-friendly. That touch of dark chocolate returns on the mid-palate, adding depth without overwhelming the fruit.
FinishClean and persistent with lingering cherry and a gentle mineral edge that invites another sip.
Overall impressionThis is Valpolicella that perfectly balances elegance with substance, charming and polished in equal measure.
Food Pairings
In the Veneto, this style of Valpolicella would grace tables laden with risotto ai porcini, the earthy mushrooms playing beautifully against the wine's red fruit and silky texture. Local trattorias pair it with bollito misto—mixed boiled meats served with salsa verde—where the wine's bright acidity cuts through rich sauces. Grilled polenta with gorgonzola is another regional favourite, the wine's elegance balancing the cheese's pungency. During autumn, it's the natural partner for game dishes like lepre in salmì (hare stew), where tradition meets the wine's inherent food-friendliness.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C—cool enough to preserve the fresh fruit character but warm enough to let the silky texture shine through. No need to decant this beauty; just open and pour, though a brief stint in the glass will allow the subtle complexities to emerge. Use medium-sized Burgundy glasses to concentrate the elegant aromatics without overwhelming them.
The Volpare vineyard sits in the heart of Valpolicella, where the rolling hills provide excellent drainage and optimal sun exposure for the indigenous grape varieties. The soils are a mix of limestone and volcanic rock, which lends both elegance and mineral backbone to the wines. The moderate altitude and cooling breezes from Lake Garda help preserve the natural acidity that makes Valpolicella so food-friendly, while allowing the fruit to ripen with purity and balance.
Valpolicella is one of Italy's most beloved wine regions, sitting just north of Verona in the Veneto. The appellation is built around three indigenous grape varieties—Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara—that create wines ranging from fresh, everyday reds to the powerful Amarone made from dried grapes. Unlike its more famous neighbour Chianti, Valpolicella tends toward elegance rather than power, with silky textures and bright red fruit that make it exceptionally versatile at the dinner table. The best producers like La Giaretta show that even entry-level Valpolicella can be genuinely compelling when made with care.
We're still getting to grips with 2023 in Veneto, but early signs suggest a vintage that kept producers on their toes. The growing season brought its share of challenges, with variable weather patterns that demanded careful vineyard management and precise timing at harvest. What emerges is a year where the best producers really earned their stripes, navigating conditions that rewarded experience and penalised complacency.
The wines we've tasted so far show promise rather than immediate fireworks. Soave displays lovely mineral backbone with citrus precision, while Valpolicella shows bright red fruit that's more vivacious than brooding. The Amarone producers we work with seem quietly confident about their drying grapes, though it's far too early for definitive judgments there. These aren't wines crying out for immediate attention, but they're building nicely in bottle and should reward patience over the next few years.
FAQs
What does this Valpolicella taste like?
Silky and elegant with vibrant red cherry and raspberry, a touch of dark chocolate, and the kind of effortless charm that makes you want to keep sipping.
When should I drink this wine?
It's perfect right now and will stay delicious until 2030, though it's designed for relatively early drinking while the fruit remains fresh and vibrant.
What food pairs best with this wine?
Incredibly versatile—try it with mushroom pasta, grilled steak, roast chicken, or anything with tomato-based sauces. The bright acidity makes it brilliant with Italian cuisine.
Should I decant this wine?
No need to decant—just open and pour. Serve slightly cool at 16-17°C in medium-sized wine glasses to let the elegant aromatics shine.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
While it will hold well for a few years, this style of Valpolicella is built for relatively early enjoyment. Drink it while the fruit is vibrant rather than waiting for development.
How does this compare to other Valpolicella wines?
This shows the care and attention La Giaretta brings to their entire range—more polished and elegant than basic Valpolicella, with genuine character and food-friendliness.
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