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🍇 Corvina

Also known as: Corvina Veronese, Cruina
Pronunciation: kohr-VEE-nuh /koɾˈbina/
Red Origin: Veneto, Italy

About Corvina

Corvina is the star grape of Valpolicella and the Veneto, responsible for wines ranging from light, cherry-scented Valpolicella Classico to the mighty, dried-grape Amarone. Its thin skin and high acidity make it ideal for the appassimento drying process.

The grape produces naturally light-coloured wines with sour cherry character, almond notes, and distinctive bitter finish. When dried for Amarone or Recioto, it concentrates into rich, powerful wines with dried fruit, chocolate, and coffee notes.

Corvina is typically blended with Rondinella and Molinara (or increasingly Corvinone), though single-variety bottlings exist. The grape's versatility across styles makes it one of Italy's most important varieties.

Wine Colour & Appearance

Typical colour: Light ruby (Valpolicella) to deep garnet (Amarone)

Thin-skinned grape, naturally light. Amarone concentrates colour through drying.

Colour Variations by Region

Valpolicella Classico: Light ruby, transparent, youthful
Ripasso: Medium ruby with garnet hints
Amarone: Deep garnet-ruby, concentrated, notable legs
Intensity Pale to Medium (classic) to Deep (Amarone)
Clarity Clear to brilliant
Viscosity Light (Valpolicella 12%) to very high (Amarone 15-17%)

Wine Characteristics

Body
Light (Valpolicella) to Full (Amarone)
Tannin
Low to Medium
Acidity
High
Sweetness
Dry to Sweet (Recioto)
Alcohol
11.5–15%

Alcohol levels can vary based on vintage and winemaking style. Valpolicella wines typically fall in the lower end of this range, while Amarone della Valpolicella, due to the appassimento (drying) process, often reaches the higher end.

Aroma & Flavour Profile Le Nez du Vin Reference →

Aromas (Nose) [Le Nez aroma]

  • Sour cherry
  • Almond
  • Dried herbs
  • Rose [M28 rose]
  • Cinnamon [M41 cinnamon]
  • Dried fruit
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee [M52 coffee]

Flavours (Palate)

  • Cherry
  • Bitter almond
  • Raisin
  • Prune
  • Spice
  • Tobacco
  • Dark chocolate

The Nose

Corvina wines offer a vibrant aromatic profile, initially showcasing bright primary notes of tart red cherry and ripe plum, often accompanied by a floral lift. Secondary aromas of almond and subtle herbal nuances add complexity, while wines made with dried grapes—or with age—develop intriguing tertiary hints of gentle spice and black pepper. Overall, the nose is fresh and inviting, promising a savory and fruit-forward experience.

The Palate

Corvina wines typically present a light to medium body with moderate, smooth tannins and a vibrant, high acidity. Flavors center around bright and tart red cherry and plum, often accompanied by subtle herbal and spice notes of almond and black pepper. This combination creates wines that are both refreshing and structurally sound, offering a pleasant balance on the palate.

Viticulture

Yield:
Relatively low yields are desired to concentrate flavors (around 6-8 tons/hectare for Valpolicella Classico, lower for Amarone).
Harvest:
Late harvest (October - November) is common, especially for appassimento (drying) for Amarone and Recioto. Manual harvesting is almost universal.
Canopy Management:
Important for sun exposure and air circulation. Leaf removal is common.
Pruning:
Short pruning (spur pruning) is typical for Guyot. Long pruning (cane pruning) is used for Pergola Veronese, leaving 6-12 buds per vine.
Altitude:
Typically grown on hillsides between 200-800 meters (650-2600 feet).
Appassimento:
A key practice for Amarone and Recioto. Grapes are traditionally laid on straw mats for 3-5 months to concentrate sugars, flavors, and acids.
Botrytis Cinerea:
Can be a risk during appassimento, requiring careful sorting.
Bud Load:
Moderate to high, depending on the desired style of wine.
Characteristics:
Pale and infertile soils are preferred, as they stress the vines and concentrate flavors. Limestone content contributes to acidity.
Downy Mildew And Powdery Mildew:
Common fungal diseases requiring preventative measures.
Drainage:
Excellent drainage is crucial.
Frost:
Spring frosts can be a significant threat, especially at lower altitudes.
Grape Variety:
Corvina
Key Clones:
Corvina (standard), Corvinone (higher sugar and anthocyanin levels, increasingly planted)
Overall:
Temperate continental with significant diurnal temperature variation.
Rainfall:
Moderate, concentrated in spring and autumn. Dry summers are beneficial.
Region:
Veneto, Italy (primarily Valpolicella)
Rootstocks:
110 Richter, K51, SO4
Summer:
Warm to hot, but moderated by altitude and proximity to Lake Garda.
Training System:
Traditionally Pergola Veronese (a high-trained, open-cane system). Increasingly Guyot is used for higher density plantings and better control.
Type:
Volcanic, calcareous, and alluvial soils. Often stony and well-drained.
Vine Age:
Old vines are highly valued, contributing to complexity and concentration.
Winter:
Cold, with potential for frost. Diurnal variation helps with sugar concentration.

Grape Morphology

Skin Thickness
Thick
Berry Size
Medium
Bunch Tightness
Medium
Botrytis Susceptibility
Medium

Winemaking Notes

Oak Affinity
Medium
Oxidation Tendency
Moderate
MLC Typical
Yes
Ageing Potential
10-20 years

Blending Partners

Molinara — Traditional partner

Adds acidity, color, and structure to the blend.

Common in: Valpolicella, Bardolino

Rondinella — Traditional partner

Contributes color, body, and tannin.

Common in: Valpolicella, Bardolino

Corvinone — Primary partner

Higher sugar content and potential alcohol, enhances structure and concentration.

Common in: Valpolicella, Amarone

Notable Regions

Veneto, Italy The primary growing region for Corvina, located in the Veneto region of Italy. Specifically, the Valpolicella Classica zone is highly regarded.
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy A smaller, but increasingly important region for Corvina, particularly for sparkling wines (Rosé). The cooler climate influences the grape's characteristics.
Lake Garda, Italy Corvina is grown around Lake Garda, contributing to the production of Bardolino and some Valpolicella wines. The lake moderates the climate.

Region Map

Old World vs New World

Understanding regional style differences helps identify origin in blind tasting.

🏰 Old World (Europe)

Almost exclusively Italian - the appassimento tradition is unique to Veneto

🌎 New World (Americas, Australasia)

Very limited plantings elsewhere; some Australian experiments

Key Tells for Blind Tasting

Bitter almond finish, sour cherry, and the dried fruit character in Amarone are diagnostic

Similar Grapes & Lateral Confusion

These grapes are commonly confused with Corvina in blind tasting. Here's how to tell them apart:

Nebbiolo

Why confused: similar_structure

How to distinguish: Nebbiolo has much more tannin, tar/roses character, paler colour

Sangiovese

Why confused: similar_acidity

How to distinguish: Sangiovese has more tannin, more savoury, less almond/bitter character

Blind Tasting Tips

Key identifiers: Sour cherry + bitter almond finish + high acidity. In Amarone: dried fruit, raisin, chocolate, very high alcohol.

Common confusions: Simple Valpolicella can resemble light Pinot Noir. Amarone's richness can suggest New World Shiraz, but the dried fruit character is distinctive.

Colour: Light Valpolicella is surprisingly pale; Amarone is deep with thick legs from high alcohol.

Vintage History

Notable vintages for Corvina:

2023
A warm and dry vintage, resulting in concentrated grapes with ripe tannins. Early budburst and harvest. Expect powerful, full-bodied wines with dark fruit flavors. Good color intensity. Potential for long aging.
A warm and dry vintage, resulting in concentrated grapes with ripe tannins. Early budburst and harvest. Expect powerful, full-bodied wines with dark fruit flavors. Good color intensity. Potential for long aging.
2022
A challenging vintage marked by a hot, dry summer and a late-season heatwave. Yields were slightly reduced. Wines show concentrated fruit but require careful winemaking to maintain freshness.
A challenging vintage marked by a hot, dry summer and a late-season heatwave. Yields were slightly reduced. Wines show concentrated fruit but require careful winemaking to maintain freshness.
2021
A classic vintage with a balanced growing season. Moderate temperatures and sufficient rainfall resulted in healthy vines and well-ripened grapes. Excellent potential for elegant and age-worthy wines.
A classic vintage with a balanced growing season. Moderate temperatures and sufficient rainfall resulted in healthy vines and well-ripened grapes. Excellent potential for elegant and age-worthy wines.
2020
A warm and relatively dry vintage, producing ripe and concentrated Corvina. Some concerns about water stress during the summer, but overall a good year for quality.
A warm and relatively dry vintage, producing ripe and concentrated Corvina. Some concerns about water stress during the summer, but overall a good year for quality.
2019
A generous vintage with ample rainfall and warm temperatures. Yields were high, and the wines are approachable and fruit-forward.
A generous vintage with ample rainfall and warm temperatures. Yields were high, and the wines are approachable and fruit-forward.

Food Pairings

🌱 Plant-Based & Vegetarian
Risottove Grilled vegetablesve Mushroomsve Dark chocolateve Pizza Hard cheeses Blue cheese
🍖 Classic Pairings
Pasta with meat sauce Roast duck Braised beef

Parentage & Genetics

Parents: Cabernet Sauvignon × Rhine Riesling

Clones

Corvina

Delicate, vigorous, dark-colored grape. Parent of Corvinone. Requires careful manual harvesting.

Corvinone

Distinct variety from Corvina (confirmed by DNA analysis), higher sugar content and lower acidity than Corvina.

Corbina

Distinct variety from Corvina (confirmed by DNA analysis).

Bibliography

Books and articles about Corvina:

The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson (Mitchell Beazley, 2019) ↗
Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide by Madeline Puckette & Justin Hammack (Folly Productions, 2018) ↗
Italian Wine for Dummies by Ed McCarthy (Wiley, 2014) ↗
Understanding Italian Wine by Jeremy Parzen (University of California Press, 2017) ↗
Valpolicella: History, Tradition, and Modern Innovation by Ian D'Agata (University of California Press, 2013) ↗
Corvina: The Key Grape of Valpolicella
The Influence of Grapevine Variety, Clone and Rootstock on Wine Aroma by Ronald Jackson (Practical Winery, 2008) ↗
Wine Scholar Guild - Italian Wine School
GuildSomm
Vinous
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Wines Featuring Corvina

Wines from our tasting directory that feature this grape:

Torre del Falasco Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore
Torre del Falasco (Cantina di Soave)
Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
Page created: 28 January 2026 | Last updated: 30 January 2026

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Wine Colour

This section shows the typical appearance of wines made from this grape:

  • Colour swatches — Visual examples from young to aged expressions
  • Intensity — How deep or pale the colour typically appears
  • Clarity — Whether wines are typically clear, hazy, or have sediment
  • Viscosity — The "legs" or "tears" you see on the glass

Characteristics

Key structural elements that define the wine:

  • Acidity — How tart or fresh the wine tastes (low to high)
  • Body — The weight and texture in your mouth (light to full)
  • Alcohol — Typical alcohol range, sometimes with regional variations
  • Sweetness — Dry, off-dry, or sweet (where applicable)

Tannins (Red Wines)

For red wines, this section describes the tannin profile:

  • Level — Low, medium, or high tannin content
  • Texture — Velvety, silky, grippy, chalky, or sandy
  • Location — Where you feel them (front teeth, gums, cheeks, back of mouth)
  • Ageing potential — How tannins evolve over time

Aroma and Flavour Profile

Aromas (nose) and flavours (palate) are listed separately:

  • The Nose — What you smell before tasting
  • The Palate — What you taste and feel in your mouth
  • Le Nez numbers — References like [M15] correspond to Le Nez du Vin aroma kit bottles (M = Masterkit, O = Oak, F = Faults)
Tip: Le Nez Reference Click the "Le Nez du Vin Reference" link in the Aroma section header to see the full aroma reference chart.

Viticulture

Growing conditions this grape prefers:

  • Climate — Cool, moderate, or warm climate preferences
  • Soil — Preferred soil types (limestone, clay, gravel, etc.)
  • Vigour — How vigorously the vine grows
  • Challenges — Common growing difficulties (frost, rot, disease)

Notable Regions

Key wine regions where this grape excels:

  • Map thumbnails — Small preview maps for each region (where available)
  • Click to expand — Opens a larger interactive map
  • Wine region boundaries — Highlighted in wine-red where data is available
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Old World vs New World

Compares how the grape is expressed in different regions:

  • Old World — Traditional European expressions (France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
  • New World — Modern expressions (Australia, USA, Chile, etc.)
  • Differences in style, ripeness, oak use, and flavour profiles

Similar Grapes

Grapes that are often confused with this variety in blind tasting:

  • Why confused — What characteristics they share
  • How to distinguish — Key differences to look for

Blind Tasting Tips

Practical guidance for identifying this grape when tasting blind:

  • Key markers to look for
  • Common pitfalls and look-alikes
  • Diagnostic characteristics that set it apart

Food Pairings

Suggested foods that complement wines from this grape:

  • Vegan/Vegetarian — Plant-based options listed first, marked (ve) for vegan
  • Classic pairings — Traditional meat and seafood matches
Full guide →