April 26, 2026 - “Same Grape, Different Process: Wines of Verona” - Jim & Kropp

On April 26, our tasting held at the home of Jim and Linda Kropp, we enjoyed tasting six Italian wines, the first two from the Monte Tondo Winery in Verona. The first was a sparkling wine, and the second a refreshing Soave Classico that was fermented in steel and aged 60 days.

The four reds made for an interesting tasting. All were from the same grape, Corvina, and all were produced by the same winery, La Giaretta Vineyards in Valpolicella. Jim Kropp gave a presentation explaining the differences in the production of each wine.

The first red was a simple Valpolicella, aged in steel. Next was a Ripasso Classico. A Ripasso is something of a hybrid. It’s made with crushed Corvina grapes, as well as the dried Corvina grapes leftover after the crush in the making of an Amarone. For our third red, we tasted an Amarone. For this wine, the Corvina grapes are dried for three to four months and become, essentially, raisins. The raisins are then crushed to produce the wine. We finished with a dessert wine, also made from Corvina. Jim and Linda provided delicious and appropriate small plates to pair with the wines.

This tasting was an excellent example of how one grape can be used in several ways to produce different wines with different taste profiles—and prices.

Many thanks again to the Kropps for opening up their lovely home to all of us!