Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in Italy (including Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice)
Start New ThreadI am visiting Verona this spring and am interested in doing a day trip to the Valpolicella region to visit wineries. I am wondering if anyone has any favorites? I am particularly interested in trying Amarone. I may do an organized tour, but so far have not found one that is not obscenely expensive...So I also want to leave the option open to do it on my own. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks!
By jcoz23
on Dec 5, 2007 01:44 PM
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We stayed almost a week in Valpolicella a few years ago in a small town called Fumane. We did some wine tasting as well, but as you may know, winetasting is done a little different there. It is best to get reservations ahead of time or you might end up disrupting family time on someone's property.
One place we did particularly like and it was friendly to stopping by anytime was Nicolis. www.vininicolis.com. As far as expensive, I dont recall them even charging us anything, but we did purchase quite a few bottles.
Also, be sure to pick up a Slow Food guide before going. This area has a lot of great finds. My favorite was the ENOTECA della VALPOLICELLA. Not to be missed and very close to Nicolis. It is actually on the same proprety as the farmhouse that we stayed in Fumane.
Be sure to ask local reatraunt owners what their favorite amarones are. I remember them being so passionate about how important amarone is. It really is an underrated area of Italy.
Have fun. I am jealous.
M
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Thank you so much for the tips! Will definitely try to check out Nicolis...
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"The Italian Wine Guide," published by the Touring Club of Italy, recommends visiting the La Ragose and Roberto Mazzi wineries. Both wineries require appointments for a visit.
The book also recommends visiting the regional Enoteca della Valpolicella, where you will be able to taste the wines of many producers in one place, rather than having to visit a number of different wineries. Regional enotecastasting rooms are a common practice in Italy. Up until recently, winery visits/tastings have not been a common practice.
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The town of Soave, east of Verona, is a lovely wine town and well worth a visit.
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I would second visiting Soave as well. If you want to try some white wines, the Pieropan winery in Soave is a good choice. They do conducted tours by appointment, but as DavidT noted, Italy doesn't do the sort of winetastings you would find in Napa or Sonoma. An enoteca is really the place to go. Also in Italy, it is customary to offer some type of food whenever drinks are served. The "food" might just be olives or peanuts, but can be more substantial. Some enoteche offer cheese plates or salumi; others have more.
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We did enjoy a bottle of Le Ragose when we were there. If you can get in, I'm sure you would like what they have.
They are in Negrar which is about a 5 minute drive from Nicolis.
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I am also looking for a 1/2 day tour of Valpolicella. We are interested in hiring a driver (since we wont have a car and would like some guidance in the area). We would like to visit two wineres and have lunch. Does entoceca della valpolicella serve food? Not sure if this is a restaurant?? I will check out the wineries you mention to see if they do tastings on Saturday June 27th (our only day in verona).
thanks :)
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You can check this: www.amaronetours.it
They organize wine tours in Valpolicella with driver.
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