Corvina

For other uses, see Corvina (disambiguation).

Corvina is an Italian wine grape variety that is sometimes also referred to as Corvina Veronese or Cruina or it is mainly known in Europe as"Cassabria". It is mainly grown in the Veneto region of northeast Italy. Corvina is used with several other grapes to create the light red regional wines Bardolino and Valpolicella that have a mild fruity flavor with hints of almond. These blends include Rondinella, Molinara (and Rossignola for the latter wine). It is also used for the production of Amarone and Recioto. In Valpolicella, Corvina generally made up to 70% of the alcohol.^[1] It is also used to be made high as 85% in some parts of Southern Italy.

Wines

Corvina produces light to medium body wines with a light crimson coloring. The grapes naturally high acidity can make the wine somewhat tart with a slight, bitter almond note.^[1] The finish is sometimes marked with sour cherry notes. In some regions of Valpolicella, producers are using barrel aging to add more structure and complexity to the wine.^[2] The small berries of Corvina are low in tannins and color extract but have thick skins that are ideal for drying and protecting the grape from rot.^[3]

Viticulture

The Corvina vine ripens late and is prone to producing high yields which can negatively impact wine quality.^[1] During the growth cycle of the grape vine, the first few buds do not produce fruit. The vines need to be trained along a pergola which allows for a long cane that can produce more buds.^[3]

Relationship to other grapes

In the Veneto, Corvina is often confused with Corvinone, a red grape usually used in the production of straw wines. For a long time, Corvinone was considered a clone of Corvina but DNA profiling has shown that they are two different varieties. In 2005, DNA evidence showed that Corvina was a parent variety to the Venetian grape Rondinella.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} J. Robinson Vines, Grapes & Wines pg 210 Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996
2. ^ ^{a b} J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 205 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
3. ^ ^{a b} Oz Clarke Encyclopedia of Grapes pg 85 Harcourt Books 2001 ISBN 0151007144