Corvina

Wine Style:
This is a deep dark and spicy red grape.

Flavors:

Origin:
Valpolicella in Italy

Found:
Italy only.

Corvina is widely grown on the Veneto shore of Lake Garda and the hills of Valpolicella to the north and north-east of Verona. Sometimes known as Corvina Veronese, it is blended with Rondinella and Molinara to produce Valpolicella and Bardolino which are mainly consumed locally. As we read and discover, this varietal can be a tricky grape to cultivate, as it ripens late and is prone to rot if affected by rains at harvest time. It is a high-yielding grape and quality is very dependent on keeping yields low.

Corvina with its thick skins is succesfully used for drying to make Recioto and Amarone wines because the thick skins protect the grapes from rot while they shrivel. Corvina-based red wines can range in style from a light, cherryish red to the rich, port-like Recioto and Amarone Valpolicellas. Most Valpolicella from the plains is pale and insipid, and bears little comparison with Valpolicella Classico from the hills. Some producers such as Allegrini are now producing very high quality 100% Corvina wines.

Further Reading:
Wikipedia
Wine Geeks
Appellation America
Wine Library TV