Corvinone

Also known as: Cruinon (local)

Corvinone is so named because it looks like a larger Corvina – and that’s exactly what it is. Larger berries, thicker skins, less juice per grape. What would be a disadvantage for fresh wines makes it the ideal partner for Appassimento drying: the thick skin protects against rot, the loose bunches dry evenly.

For a long time, Corvinone was considered a variant of Corvina. Only DNA analyses revealed: it’s a distinct variety. In Amarone it may constitute up to 50% of the blend and brings structure and dark fruit. In fresh Valpolicella its proportion is smaller – here the juicier Corvina dominates.

At Ca‘ La Bionda and Fidora, Corvinone grows on old pergola-trained vines in the hills of Valpolicella Classico. Both estates work biodynamically and give the grape time – which shows in the depth of the Amarone.