Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG is a sweet red wine from the hilly territory north of Verona, set between Lake Garda and the Lessini Mountains. The landscape encompasses distinct valleys, slopes and exposures, where calcareous, marly and at times stony soils interact with a temperate climate touched by both Alpine and Mediterranean influences. Warm days encourage ripening, while cooler nights and valley breezes help preserve freshness and aromatic definition.
The wine is based on Corvina Veronese and Corvinone, with Rondinella as an important complementary variety and, where permitted, other local red grapes. Corvina contributes sour-cherry, violet and spice notes; Corvinone brings structure, darker fruit and herbal nuances; Rondinella supports colour and balance. Vineyard work focuses on healthy, evenly ripened fruit with sound skins, an essential condition for the drying process. Well-aired sites and careful canopy management are particularly valuable in maintaining grape integrity through harvest.
Appassimento is the defining technique. Following a rigorous, often selective harvest, the grapes are traditionally laid out to dry under controlled conditions. As water slowly evaporates, sugars, acidity, colour compounds and phenolic material become concentrated. The fruit also develops the distinctive Recioto profile of ripe cherry, plum, dried flowers, cocoa and sweet spice. The dried grapes are then gently pressed and fermented. Fermentation is managed so that part of the grapes’ natural sugar remains, producing the denomination’s hallmark combination of sweetness, vibrant acidity, dense texture and refined tannin. Maturation in suitable vessels may further integrate the components while retaining the wine’s fruit-driven lift.
The name Recioto is commonly linked to the “recie,” the particularly ripe upper or lateral parts of a bunch. The production of sweet wines from dried grapes has deep historical roots in Valpolicella. Recioto represents this tradition in its classic red form and is regarded as the stylistic antecedent of dry Amarone.
