Valpo suggestions?

[stevebody]

IK, without meaning to start another dust-up, Valpo Classico is not always ripasso. Some of the producers routinely make their Classicos by the Ripasso method - Le Ragose and Bussola, to name two - but many are simply single-fermentation, fresh-juice vinified, just like any other wine. The Tomassi "Rafael", as far as I know, is one of these, separate from their lovely Ripasso. The Masi Serego Allegheri and the Allegrini Classico are both single-fermented, as shown on their websites, masi.it and allegrini.it.

Rand, that's the rub in buying a simple Valpo. Sometimes, as in the case of the Secco-Bertani Classico, it is ripasso but doesn't say that until you read the mouse-type on the back. If you like the Classicos, though, I'm bettin' you'll LOVE the ripasso. It's got considerably more depth and richness than simple Classico and doesn't always sport an inflated price tag for it. The Le Ragose is about $14, the Cesari "Mara" is about $12, and the stunning Zenato is a steal at about $18.

Some wineries, like Bussola, are raising the bar on the prices and, of course the Italians, being no less immune than we to the charms of a buck, are inching their way along. The Bussola TB Classico is Sex In A Bottle but you'll pay about $28 for the pleasure. My suggestion: try the Cesari, the Bertani, the Masi Campofiorin Ripasso AND the Serego Allegheri Classico, and the Le Ragose, all under $15, most stores, and all fine drinks. In other parts of the country, of course, there may be other things available, so solicit more input from the Easterners.