Theory suggests that the name Valpolicella is a mix of Latin and Greek, "Vallis-polis-cellae", meaning the valley of the many cellars
. The wine produced in this area, known as "Retico" in antiquity, has been prized since Roman times
! Pliny the Elder (23-79AD) , in his Naturalis Historia , defines it as "panacea veronensis", that is, suitable for curing all ills! Good to know during season change 
. The wine produced in this area, known as "Retico" in antiquity, has been prized since Roman times! Pliny the Elder (23-79AD) , in his Naturalis Historia , defines it as "panacea veronensis", that is, suitable for curing all ills! Good to know during season change
Valpolicella is divided into three areas: Valpolicella Classica, Valpantena and Valpolicella Orientale (Zona DOC), of which only the first 2 are official sub-zones. Nevertheless, Valpolicella Orientale hosts excellent producers such as Romano Dal Forno
(in the Illasi Valley), but the name of the sub-zone cannot appear on the label
(in the Illasi Valley), but the name of the sub-zone cannot appear on the label
Made up of valleys that develop in a north-south direction, Valpolicella landscape is mainly hilly, with soft slopes and watersheds at low altitudes. It's dominated almost everywhere by vineyards , interspersed with olive
and cherry trees
. The geological and climatic characteristics of the territory, unique and varied, are the basis of the great originality and typicality of its wines, strongly linked to its native grape varieties
: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and other minor indigenous varieties (e.g.Molinara, Oseleta), which give an unmistakable and inimitable imprint to all the types of wine produced in here: Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
and cherry trees. The geological and climatic characteristics of the territory, unique and varied, are the basis of the great originality and typicality of its wines, strongly linked to its native grape varieties: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and other minor indigenous varieties (e.g.Molinara, Oseleta), which give an unmistakable and inimitable imprint to all the types of wine produced in here: Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Have you visited Valpolicella yet? Tell us in the comments 
Photo credit: Consorzio della Valpolicella
