Corvina, also known as Corvina Veronese or Cruina, is a native grape variety of the Verona area, with a long-standing tradition in Valpolicella and Bardolino. Its exact origins are not documented, but its long-standing presence in local viticulture is well established and has made it the principal variety used in the great red wines of the province of Verona. The vine is vigorous and has a semi-upright growth habit; the leaves are medium-sized, pentagonal and generally five-lobed, with a slightly open lyre- or U-shaped petiole sinus. The bunch is medium-sized, cylindrical-pyramidal, often winged and fairly compact; the berries, which are ellipsoidal and of medium size, have a thick, firm skin, blue-black in colour, rich in colouring compounds and polyphenols. Cultivation is concentrated mainly in the hills of Valpolicella, Valpantena and the Bardolino area, though it is also found in other parts of the Veneto region. When vinified whilst still fresh, it produces ruby-red wines, supported by good acidity and characterised by aromas of cherry, plum, red berries and delicate spicy or almond-like notes. Depending on ripeness and ageing, it can express a structure ranging from light to full-bodied, with considerable potential for development. Its tough skin and the balance between acidity and sugars favour the drying process, which is essential for Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella.
