Valpolicella is a crown jewel of northern Italian wine. Lake Garda to the west and the Dolomites to the north offer some of Italy’s most dramatic vistas, but Valpolicella itself is far more than the bit you drive through to get to other destinations. Clear running mountain rivers have spent millennia carving a series of deep valleys through these foothills, leaving a landscape of emerald green forest, steep hills and misty valleys, with farms and vineyards clinging to the terraced slopes. Damoli’s estate is in one of these valleys in the town of Negrar di Valpolicella, the traditional heart of the appellation. Like most wineries here, Damoli makes the full range of Valpolicella classics, the Brooding Amarones and the robust Ripassos, and they do those wines very well, but we find ourselves coming back again and again to this simple, delicious Valpolicella Classico. This is the emblematic red blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara that’s so easy to drink that it rarely gets credit for just how nuanced it can be. Here we find notes of cherry cordial, rose, cranberry, and allspice with a touch of ginger root. The palate is wonderfully juicy, showing waves of red berry fruit, sage, tarragon and tangerine peel through the finish. You won’t want this one to finish though, it’s a joy to drink and will keep you coming back for more! For food pairing, we suggest Pizza with friends.