Pillitteri Estates Winery
Pillitteri Estates Winery is proud to welcome you for a tour our estate and a tasting of our award w
1696 Niagara Stone Rd.
Niagara-on-the-lake ON L0S 1J0
Canada
+1 905-468-3147
Corvina is a red wine grape variety predominantly used in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. It's largely recognized for its significant role in creating the luxurious Amarone della Valpolicella and Valpolicella Ripasso wines.
It produces light-colored wines with a light to medium body, high acidity, and moderate tannins. Corvina wines typically exhibit a tart, sour cherry flavor, sometimes combined with hints of almond. They also tend to have an inherent bitterness, which, when coupled with the cherry flavor, can give the wine a flavor reminiscent of dark chocolate. More mature Corvina wines might feature notes of dried fruit, such as raisin or prune.
While the grape is most commonly used in blended wines, it can occasionally be found as a varietal wine, showcasing its unique characteristics. When made into Amarone, a process which involves drying the grapes, Corvina-based wines can age for decades. However, typical Valpolicella wines are more recommended for earlier drinking.
One of the interesting aspects of this grape variety is its thick skin, which is perfect for the drying process used in the appassimento method for Amarone. This thick skin helps to prevent rotting while the grape desiccates and also provides a valuable source of tannins and color.