New York City residents in recent years have broadened their horizons in terms of wine, welcoming new styles and flavours, so that now Valpolicella is no longer synonymous with Amarone, according to Valpolicella Wine Specialist Amber Rill in an interview with ANSA.

Rill, sommelier at Corkbuzz in Manhattan's Union Square, said Valpolicella is "increasingly finding space on the table and on wine lists, and it's no longer just Amarone".
"An increasing number of enthusiasts are understanding the levels of style and value of this acclaimed Italian winemaking region," Rill said.
Consumers are increasingly younger and looking for a good glass of wine that they can learn everything about, discovering that there's more than one Valpolicella, each with its own characteristics.
Rill knows this well, and at Corkbuzz she proposes a different Valpolicella wine depending on the season.

"If it's summer, then a light and fresh style is a winner, rich with red fruits and with shades of herb and pepper," Rill said.
"In the fall, among the DOC wines we opt for a slightly more mature Valpolicella Superiore from the classic zone, with deeper tones of berry, plum, and fennel. In the winter, we can offer a select glass of Amarone della Valpolicella or Ripasso, the latter of which is the only one that meets all tastes and matches with all dishes," she said.

Rill said Amarone is often seen as a celebratory wine and is highly requested during the holiday season. She also mentioned Recioto della Valpolicella, even though the trend is more commonly towards dry wines.

In collaboration with:
Consorzio per la tutela dei vini Valpolicella