Did you think we’d choose a Super Tuscan to pair with our favorite winery-loving board game set in Tuscany? That would be too easy! Also probably delicious, but not the vibe we were going for here.
We did stay “close to home,” venturing just a little further north in Italy into Valpolicella, the most famous red wine district in Italy’s Veneto wine region. The region’s revered reds are diverse, spanning four styles: dry, epic Amarone; spicy, cherry Valpolicella Ripasso; sweet Recioto; and lively, accessible Valpolicella.
For a fiesty game of Viticulture, we chose a light, zingy Valpolicella by Brigaldara ($20), a beautiful foray into the region. Incredibly easy drinking, and best served with a chill (just like some other porch-pounders we’ve featured recently), Valpolicella could be described as the Italian answer to Beaujolais.
This particular bottle is made with 55% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella, perfectly balanced with a blend of the grapes required by DOP law. It boasts a lovely ruby-color and bright fruity flavor that comes together like sour cherry fruit leather.
Now, imagine this. You’ve inherited a tiny, rustic vineyard in Tuscany with just a few plots of land, a crush pad, a tiny cellar, and a few eager workers with which to make your winemaking dreams come true. Sounds good, right?
You play through the seasons – each a little different – planting vines, building structures, harvesting fields, making wine, and filling wine orders, earning points and recurring income for each wine order you fill! The fun (and challenge) comes from strategically placing your workers to make the best use of limited, shared resources.
With your workers and some helpful visitors, you’ll compete against other vintners to develop the most successful winery in Tuscany.
And a bonus for Witty Pairs lovers, as your skill and mastery of this board game advance, so too can your venture into the Valpolicella world of wine. Look for a bottle of Amarone to age in your cellar (or basement, or bar cart, or under your bed…anything goes!) to break out when the competition gets hot. These aging-friendly bottles tend to come with a higher price tag, but we’ll keep our eye out for a great budget find!
Have you had any wine from Valpolicella yet? Let us know in the comments!
Witty Pairs 