The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCorvina grape
Corvina is a red grape known for sour cherry, almond, spice. Its best-known homes are Veneto.
Origin and history
Native grape of the Veronese hills, the backbone of Valpolicella; DNA shows it is a parent of Rondinella, its usual blending partner.
Where it grows
Veneto: Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella and Bardolino; small plantings in Argentina and Australia.
Structure
Light to medium body, high acidity and low to medium tannin; Amarone, from dried grapes, becomes full-bodied and around 15% alcohol.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: sour cherry, red cherry, almond and herbs. With age, or when dried for Amarone: dried cherry, raisin, chocolate, coffee and spice.
Ageing
Valpolicella is best within 1–4 years; Amarone can age 15–30 years.
Also known as
Corvina Veronese, Cruina.
Good to know
For Amarone the grapes are dried for around three to four months (appassimento) before pressing; Ripasso is Valpolicella refermented on the leftover Amarone skins.
Wine regions for Corvina
Corvina wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Veneto · Amarone della Valpolicella · Corvina
Made from dried grapes: rich raisin, cherry, chocolate and spice.
Food: Braised beef, aged cheeses
Allegrini Valpolicella
Veneto · Valpolicella · Corvina, Rondinella
Fresh, cherry-fruited Valpolicella.
Food: Pasta, charcuterie
La Collina dei Ciliegi Valpolicella Superiore Peratara
Veneto · Valpolicella Superiore · Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
Fuller Valpolicella from high vineyards: cherry and spice.
Food: Risotto, pork
Meroni Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Velluto
Veneto · Amarone della Valpolicella · Corvina, Rondinella
Mature Amarone: dried fruit, chocolate and spice.
Food: Aged cheese, braised meats
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso
Veneto · Valpolicella Ripasso · Corvina, Rondinella
Ripasso: richer Valpolicella with dried cherry notes.
Food: Lasagne, beef
Musella Recioto della Valpolicella
Veneto · Recioto della Valpolicella · Corvina, Rondinella
Sweet red from dried grapes: cherry, chocolate and spice.
Food: Chocolate desserts
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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