Few wine styles are as universally beloved as Amarone. Bold, layered, powerfully expressed flavours, great depth and a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel have seen Amarone take its place alongside Barolo and Brunello as an iconic Italian expression. Pair with steak or ribs.

This robust, food-friendly wine is the perfect accompaniment to family dinners.

70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Molinara. Smoky, vanilla with stewed fruit and coffee nose. Great fruit concentration of red plums in the mouth, fresh acidity and forest floor aromas on the finish. Score - 96. (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2021)

This Valpolicella-and-Amarone combo punches well above its weight class.

Dried berry, red brick and bark character to the nose. Full-bodied with spicy fruit bound in lightly firm tannin and oak, producing a long finish. This feels very young and needs to unwind a bit more to bring out the complexity that lies under the surface. But it's there, so worth waiting for. A sturdy red, built for the long term. Try from 2025. Score - 94. (jamessuckling.com, March 20, 2023)

If you like Ripasso, give this wine a try. It's made with the same grape varieties (in this case, 45% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara), but without any dried fruit in the mix, so it may be your jam... except, well, less jammy. Look for juicy cherry, raspberry and plum with a touch of woodsy spice and pair with risotto featuring radicchio and mushrooms.

This bold Amarone from one of the most trusted names in Veneto winemaking is lush and inviting, with plenty of complex flavours to love. Velvety tannins are at the core, softened by notes of black cherry, burnt brown sugar, dried fig, espresso bean, and hints of dark chocolate.

Mixed berries on the nose with hints of dried herbs that turn to a light balsamic note on the palate, to accompany the sweet, crushed berries. I like the balance of sweet and savory on the medium-full palate. The interest never flags. Tasty. Drink now. Score - 93. (jamessuckling.com, Oct. 22, 2021)

The Farina family's long history as farmers and winemakers in the Valpolicella Classica region of Veneto is evident in this excellent Ripasso. High-quality fruit has produced a wine with balanced acidity and soft tannins. Dried fruit and floral notes interplay with spice and chocolate elements that follow on the palate.