Tezza, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Valpantena Superiore (Veneto, Italy) 2017

 Three generations of the Tezza family have been making wine in Valpantena since the estate was founded in 1960.  A valley in the Veneto region that lies between Lake Garda and the Alps, Valpantena has a uniquely temperate climate.  It is divided into three subzones, Classico, Orientale and, Valpantena; Valpantena is the smallest, measuring 7 miles long and 1.8 miles wide.  The soils here are rich in iron, which is said to add hints of minerality and spice to the wine’s flavors.  Fully organic today, the estate has replaced traditional management practices with new non-invasive techniques.  The richly colored red wine is a blend of red grapes native to the Veneto including Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella.  With its depth of bright fruit flavor astutely counter-balanced by acidity this wine partners tastily with any number of foods, from veggie-centric dishes.  Try it with ratatouille or eggplant parm, or meat-based dishes, veal piccata, for example, or balsamic glazed pork chops.