Highlights
- Corvina is a red wine grape from north-east Italy.
- It is especially associated with Veneto, Verona and the Valpolicella wine area.
- Corvina is a grape variety—not a region, wine style or synonym for Valpolicella.
- It commonly makes fresh, red-fruited wines with moderate colour and low-to-moderate tannin.
- Sour cherry and bitter almond are frequently associated with the variety.
- Corvina can also be used in fuller, more concentrated or sweet wines when grapes are dried.
- In Australia, Corvina is a minor alternative variety grown on a very small scale.
Quick answer: what is Corvina?
Corvina is a black-skinned Vitis vinifera grape variety traditionally grown in Veneto, in north-east Italy. It is particularly associated with the Verona area and is the leading grape in Valpolicella blends.
A Corvina wine often has fresh acidity, moderate colour, low-to-moderate tannin and flavours or aromas suggesting sour cherry and bitter almond. However, Corvina does not have one fixed style. Blending, ripeness, oak and the drying of grapes can make the finished wine lighter and fresher, fuller and more concentrated, dry, or sweet.
You may also see the name Corvina Veronese in technical or historical references. In Australia, Corvina is the accepted prime name used for wine-labelling purposes.
Corvina, Valpolicella and Amarone: what is the difference?
This is the most important distinction to remember:
- Corvina is a grape variety.
- Valpolicella is an Italian wine denomination and regional wine context.
- Amarone della Valpolicella is a protected dry wine style made using dried grapes.
- Recioto della Valpolicella is a protected sweet wine style made using dried grapes.
Corvina is the backbone of Valpolicella blends, but Corvina is not the same thing as Valpolicella. A wine can contain Corvina without being Valpolicella, and a bottle labelled Corvina does not automatically have the concentrated style associated with Amarone.
Valpolicella wines commonly include other local varieties, such as Corvinone and Rondinella. These are separate grape varieties, not alternate names for Corvina.
What does Corvina wine taste like?
At variety level, Corvina is generally associated with:
- fresh, noticeable acidity;
- light to medium body;
- moderate colour rather than very deep colour;
- low to moderate tannin;
- red-fruit character, particularly sour or morello cherry;
- a bitter-almond note in some examples.
These are tendencies, not guarantees. A blended Corvina wine may have more colour, tannin or spice because of its other grapes. Oak can add structure and flavour, while warmer conditions and riper fruit can produce a rounder, fuller style.
The word appassimento describes the drying of grapes before fermentation. Corvina’s thick skins make it suitable for this process. Drying concentrates the grapes and helps explain why Corvina is important in wines such as Amarone and Recioto. The resulting style reflects the drying process and wine regulations as much as the grape itself.
Where is Corvina grown?
Corvina’s traditional home is Veneto, especially around Verona. It is strongly associated with Valpolicella and also appears in the Bardolino wine context.
Australia has small plantings of Corvina. An Australian Wine Research Institute profile published in 2019 documented Corvina in areas including Hilltops and the Southern Highlands. This is useful context for Australian wine learners, but it should not be mistaken for evidence that Corvina is a major Australian variety. The grape’s late ripening also means site and season can influence how successfully it matures.
How might Corvina appear on a wine label?
An Australian bottle may use Corvina as the varietal name. You may also encounter:
- Corvina Veronese in technical writing or imported-wine material;
- Valpolicella as the name of an Italian wine denomination;
- Amarone della Valpolicella or Recioto della Valpolicella as protected wine names involving dried grapes;
- Bardolino as another Italian regional wine name associated with Corvina.
Reading the label this way helps separate the grape from the place and production style. For more label confidence, see How to read a wine label.
Common questions about Corvina
Is Corvina the same as Corvinone?
No. Corvinone is a separate grape variety. The two are used in some of the same regional blends, which is one reason their names are easily confused.
Is Corvina always light-bodied?
No. Fresh, conventionally made Corvina can be light to medium-bodied, but blending, oak, ripeness and grape-drying techniques can create a fuller and more concentrated wine.
Is Corvina a sweet wine?
No. Corvina is a grape, not a sweetness category. It can be used in dry wines and in sweet Recioto wines. Sweetness depends on the wine’s production method.
What should I look for when tasting Corvina?
Start with acidity, body and tannin. Look for fresh red-fruit character, especially sour cherry, and possibly a bitter-almond note. Then consider whether drying, oak or blending has made the wine richer or more structured.