John La Mond Samples A Wine Called Valpolicella

It's always nice to receive a gift. For me, the gift is even better if it's a bottle of wine.

Recently, I did a favor for a friend of mine and she returned the favor by giving me a couple of bottles of wine. It was really nice because her gift to me was totally unexpected. The wine she gave me was made by Bolla and it is a brand I have never had before. She gave me one bottle of white and one red.

Last night I decided to try the red, called "Valpolicella". Valpolicella is typically made from three grape varietals: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara and comes from a region around Verona, Italy. While it is not something I would drink every day, it was very good and truly enjoyable. My favorite red is usually a Cabernet Sauvignon, but this Valopicella was most certainly a welcome treat.

Yesterday was also the two year anniversary of my good friend's suicide. I raised my glass in his honor. Rest In Peace Kurt Upper.