Nothing like a Ripasso and an Amarone to warm your innards on a snowy winter evening. These two from Farina, however, aren’t your typical subjects—not quite as bold or textured, but also quite distinct.

Farina Le Pezze Valpolicella Ripasso 2018 — Veneto, Italy ($16.65—on sale for $14.65 until Jan. 2, 2022)
Medium+ in body, this traditional Valpolicella blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinaro grapes is an untraditional Ripasso. Drier, earthier and lightly herbal, it doesn’t possess the mouth-coating texture and depth one would typically expect of a Ripasso wine style that involves a second fermentation alongside the rich crushed grape leftovers of Amarone. Given time and/or decanting, though, the cherry and raspberry fruit quickly emerges and it begins to spring to life. I still yearned for a longer finish, but the price is right. 88

Farina Amarone 2018 — Veneto, Italy ($40.95)
Composed of 50% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, Oseleta and Turchetta, this young Amarone received 24 months of oak aging, with further maturing in the bottle. It’s a rustic, balsamic mix of dark red berries, plums and dried prunes. There’s a slightly bitter—but not off-putting—finale, although the finish doesn’t have the length of most Amarones. The 15.34% ABV is actually modest as wines of this style go, but it’s pretty obvious in the glass, which makes it important to have the proper stemware—a high-topped red wine glass to keep your nose away from that alcohol. There’s just 6 grams per litre of sugar, which is is little drier than normal for an Amarone. While it doesn’t have quite the richness of most in this category, it is certainly one of the more inexpensive at the LCBO, while offering a complex assortment for the senses. 91