Grape · Veneto, Italy
Corvina
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Valpolicella's cherry
The lead grape of Valpolicella, Ripasso, and Amarone. Sour cherry, herbs, and — when dried — chocolate and raisin depth.
- sour cherry
- almond
- herbs
- cocoa
- dried fig
Profile
Bodymedium
Acidhigh
Tanninmedium
Sugardry
Fresh Corvina is the snap in everyday Valpolicella. Dried on mats (appassimento) it becomes Amarone: concentrated, high-alcohol, bitter-chocolate cherry. Ripasso is the middle path — Valpolicella refermented on Amarone skins.
Corvinone and Rondinella ride along. The grape is not famous; the styles are.
Light Valpolicella with pizza; Amarone with aged cheese or a winter roast, slightly cool.
At the table
Service
Valpolicella 57 °F (14 °C); Amarone 61–64 °F (16–18 °C).
