The Valpolicella and Monte del Frà Winery – our grapes: Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella
Valpolicella Classica, located in Verona province, is a territory of wines, art, and culture. The finest vineyards where grapes grow include the municipalities of Sant’Ambrogio, San Pietro in Cariano, Fumane, Marano; Negrar. The vines find a unique ecosystem due to the protection of the Lessini mountains and the gentle breezes coming from Lake Garda that create a real natural amphitheater.
The Main Grapes Held In This Territory
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Corvina Veronese
History
The name Corvina derives from the word “crow,” referring to the color of the berries, but also from the local dialect “cruina,” referring to its late-ripening (crua – not ripe). Corvina Veronese is the most important black grape variety in Verona and spreads both in Valpolicella and in Valdadige and along the shores of Lake Garda.
The name Corvina appears in 1627 among the wines of Verona. Corvina Veronese has long been considered identical to the Corbina grape, a very ancient and forgotten variety of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, recovered and included in the national register of sorts in 2007. However, morphologically and genetically, it has been shown that Corvina Veronese and Corbina are two distinct grapes. Similarly, Corvinone was considered a clonal mutation of Corvina Veronese, but it was later discovered that the ampelographic profile and DNA are different even though they may be genetically related.
Its genetic group includes DINDARELLA, GARGANEGA, OSELETA and RONDINELLA. It has a parent-child relationship with REFORSCO DAL PENDUNCOLO ROSSO and RONDINELLA.
Corvina is considered a native variety and is the main grape variety in the composition of the various types of Valpolicella wines. In recent years, it has acquired increasing importance, as demonstrated in pure vinification. It has been registered in the national register since 1969.
Where We Find Corvina Veronese.
It is found throughout the western part of Verona province and particularly on the shores of Lake Garda and in the Valpolicella Classica; it is also found in Australia, New South Wales, a little less in the “extended” area. It is expected to be used in the Valpolicella, Garda Corvina, Bardolino, and Bardolino Superiore DOCG DOCs. It is blended with Rondinella grapes to make an Amarone-style wine, while in Argentina, Tupungato, and Mendoza, wine is produced and is combined with the Malbec variety.
The Plant
The bunch is large, elongated, cylindrical-pyramidal, and compact. The grape is small to medium in size and almost ellipsoidal. Its purple, thick, and waxy skin, while the pulp has a simple and sweet flavor.
It germinates slowly; therefore, the harvest generally takes place in the last days of September and early October. This variety is very sensitive to downy mildew and drought stress which causes burns on the berries. This last characteristic gives it its uniqueness in the cultivation for the production of Amarone in the Verona area, which enjoys a unique microclimate and limits the damage of the berries by the sun.
Wine Obtained
The wine is obtained from a traditional vinification of fresh grapes with a beautiful intense ruby red color. The aromas are dominated by fruity and spicy sensations (black pepper in particular) while, with aging, it presents interesting spicy and mineral nuances. The palate has a sustained body that maintains good acidity and sweet tannins, making the whole harmonious and excellent balance. We recommend tasting it to discover the origin of the scents in Valpolicella wines and explore its adaptability to the table. This wine has good aging prospects if produced with care, and therefore, Several producers make it in purity to the Corvina Veronese. It is possible to obtain the sweet Recioto and the Amarone dry wine with the dried grapes, which can age for decades.
Benefits Of Corvina On Valpolicella Wines
Corvina is a variety that gives a sustained austerity to the wines it produces. It provides body fullness and freshness characteristics depending on how the grapes are processed.
How To Combine it On The Table
Purchased in its new Corvina version, it offers extreme adaptability to the table.
Excellent with meats, cheeses, pasta with meat sauce, and grilled fish and barbecue. It is also suitable for street food, burgers, and pizza. Discover our Corvina.
Some versions produced with aging, on the other hand, can present simpler combinations such as convivial aperitifs, tapas, cold cuts and cheese appetizers, grilled meats, street food, and pizza. You can find an example here.
Synonyms
Corvina Comune, Corvina Gentile, Corvina Nostrana, Corvina Reale, Cruina
Variety Mixed With It
Corbina, Corva and Corvinone
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Corvinone
History
Gnerally, Corvinone is a red grape variety mostly cultivated in northeast Italy’s Veneto region. It is one of the major components of Valpolicella wines, with Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. For years this variety was considered a clonal mutation of the Corvina grape. Only after careful studies – conducted in the 1980s- suggests a coarser version of Corvina, while on the contrary, it has greater finesse and an extraordinary qualitative balance. In any case, a close kinship relationship exists between the two varieties. In 1993, researchers included an independent vine and registration status in the national register.
Where it is located
Corvinone is concentrated throughout the Valpolicella, especially on the hilly slopes, as it has a natural resistance in reaching maturity on the vineyards of the plains. It is expected to be used in Valpolicella, Bardolino and Bardolino Superiore docs. Corvinone has increased in popularity among farmers, particularly with the removal of restrictions in the new DOCG guidelines to include minor types such as Molinara in Valpolicella wines. In 2000, the variety grew from 88 ha (217 acres) to 1,150 ha (2,841 acres) in 2016. In 2010, the Valpolicella winemaking laws (which include Amarone and Ripasso) were revised, stating that Corvina and/or Corvinone can constitute between 45-80 per cent of the Valpolicella blend.
The Plant
The bunch is large, pyramidal, less compact, and with two distinct and very balanced wings. The grape is medium-large in size with an ellipsoidal shape. The peel is dark blue, pruinose.
It germinates late and usually ripens in the first weeks of October.
Wine Obtained
It blends with all the other varieties that make up the Valpolicella wine but is never used in pureza. On its own, it has less alcohol and more acidity than Corvina grapes, with wider and more intense aromas.
Benefits Of Corvinone On Valpolicella Wines
Corvinone is a variety that helps in forming the body of Valpolicella wines. Even if it does not reach high alcoholic gradations, it gives excellent acidity to the wine.
Synonyms
Corvino, Cruinon
Variety With Which It Is Confused
Corbina, Corvina Veronese
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Rondinella
History
Rondinella is the easiest and most widespread grape variety in Valpolicella, both for its regular production, great disease resistance, and good predisposition to withering.
Its name derives from the Italian “Rondine” about the color of the berries, similar to that of the feathers of swallows.
The first news is identified in the agricultural monograph of the province of Verona of 1882. It is believed to be the best vine for the production of Recioto wine, given its extraordinary ability to accumulate sugars. It has been registered in the national register of vine varieties since 1970.
Its name probably derives from the intense dark color of the berry, similar to the black plumage of swallows.
Where We Find It
It is found in the Veronese area. In smaller quantities, we can also find it in Garda Colli Mantovani. In Australia, it is located in New South Wales and is blended with Corvina Veronese to make a wine similar to Amarone Della Valpolicella.
The Plant
The cluster is medium, pyramidal, with one and two rather evident wings. The grape is spherical with medium thickness skin. The color of the peel is purplish and pruinose. Generally ripens towards the end of September, with very high yields. Also, it has good resistance to most fungal diseases but is susceptible to the bait. The grapes are almost always blended with the other Veronese varieties, particularly CORVINA, CORVINONE, and MOLINARI.
Wine Obtained
The wine obtained has an intense ruby color with aromas reminiscent of cherry and violet. On the palate, it has a good body.
Benefits Of Rondinella On Valpolicella Wines
The Rondinella grape supports Bardolino and Valpolicella wines with its fruity and floral notes that give harmony and complexity to the nose.
Synonyms
It has no common synonyms.
References:
Guida ai vitigni d’Italia – Slow Food Editore
Wine Grapes – Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, Josè Vouillamoz
