{"title":"Corvina","description":"\u003cp\u003eCorvina is a key red wine grape predominantly grown in the Veneto region of Italy, celebrated for its pivotal role in producing the esteemed Amarone della Valpolicella. In the process of making Amarone, the grapes are traditionally dried in a method known as appassimento, which concentrates their sugars and flavors, resulting in a rich, full-bodied wine with a characteristically high alcohol content. This technique showcases Corvina’s ability to maintain acidity and freshness, even in such an intensely flavorful and structured wine. The grape’s adaptability and resilience make it indispensable in the Veneto region, especially for creating Amarone and its lighter counterpart, Valpolicella, offering a unique profile that is robust yet elegant.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"romano-dal-forno-amarone-della-valpolicella-2015","title":"Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella 2015","description":"","brand":"Grand Vin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43216841769183,"sku":"","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/products\/P6220688.jpg?v=1655938396"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-valpolicella-2017","title":"Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2017","description":"","brand":"Grand Vin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44249770000607,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P6281527.jpg?v=1688002512"},{"product_id":"giuseppe-quintarelli-amarone-della-valpolicella-classico-2017","title":"Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Quintarelli estate follows the traditional winemaking protocol established by Giuseppe, practices he learned from his father and grandfather. Quintarelli wines are always small in allocation, high in demand, and unmatched in quality--even the most devoted wine lovers find the Quintarelli wines difficult to find. The name itself stands for so much: the family, the wines, a style, a tradition, a way of doing things. After all the time, effort, patience, and care that go into the making of a bottle of Quintarelli, it truly does mean so much more than wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelvio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46196474642655,"sku":null,"price":475.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P8020689.jpg?v=1722708276"},{"product_id":"giuseppe-quintarelli-veneto-primofiore-rosso-2023","title":"Giuseppe Quintarelli Veneto Primofiore Rosso 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Quintarelli estate follows the traditional winemaking protocol established by Giuseppe, practices he learned from his father and grandfather. Quintarelli wines are always small in allocation, high in demand, and unmatched in quality--even the most devoted wine lovers find the Quintarelli wines difficult to find. The name itself stands for so much: the family, the wines, a style, a tradition, a way of doing things. After all the time, effort, patience, and care that go into the making of a bottle of Quintarelli, it truly does mean so much more than wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelvio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47398832111839,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P9091899.jpg?v=1757469889"},{"product_id":"giuseppe-quintarelli-amarone-della-valpolicella-classico-2018","title":"Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Quintarelli estate follows the traditional winemaking protocol established by Giuseppe, practices he learned from his father and grandfather. Quintarelli wines are always small in allocation, high in demand, and unmatched in quality--even the most devoted wine lovers find the Quintarelli wines difficult to find. The name itself stands for so much: the family, the wines, a style, a tradition, a way of doing things. After all the time, effort, patience, and care that go into the making of a bottle of Quintarelli, it truly does mean so much more than wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelvio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47398848757983,"sku":null,"price":475.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P9091898.jpg?v=1757469851"},{"product_id":"giuseppe-quintarelli-valpolicella-classico-superiore-2018-1-5l","title":"Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2018 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Quintarelli estate follows the traditional winemaking protocol established by Giuseppe, practices he learned from his father and grandfather. Quintarelli wines are always small in allocation, high in demand, and unmatched in quality--even the most devoted wine lovers find the Quintarelli wines difficult to find. The name itself stands for so much: the family, the wines, a style, a tradition, a way of doing things. After all the time, effort, patience, and care that go into the making of a bottle of Quintarelli, it truly does mean so much more than wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelvio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47398892110047,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P9091893.jpg?v=1757469579"},{"product_id":"bussola-valpolicella-superiore-cadel-laito-2020","title":"Bussola Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore Ca'del Laito 2020","description":"","brand":"Natural","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48667058045151,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P3191122.jpg?v=1773976604"},{"product_id":"bussola-amarone-2019","title":"Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2019","description":"","brand":"Natural","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48667059585247,"sku":null,"price":98.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P3191121.jpg?v=1773976558"},{"product_id":"tommaso-bussola-tb-amarone-riserva-2013","title":"Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva TB 2013","description":"","brand":"Natural","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48668426272991,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P3191120.jpg?v=1773976490"},{"product_id":"contrada-palui-valpolicella-campo-selce-2021","title":"Contrada Palui Valpolicella Superiore Campo Selce 2021","description":"","brand":"Wine Down Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48952086397151,"sku":null,"price":58.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P4180028.jpg?v=1776550622"},{"product_id":"giuseppe-quintarelli-veneto-primofiore-rosso-2024","title":"Giuseppe Quintarelli Veneto Primofiore Rosso 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Land\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuintarelli is the estate famous for making people wait, with Amarone and Valpolicella that spend the better part of a decade in the cellar. Primofiore, the first flower, is the exception, released within a couple of years of harvest. It is still grown on the same ground, the family's hillside at Cerè above Negrar in the Valpolicella Classico zone north of Verona, where roughly 11 hectares of vines climb an east-facing slope on limestone and basalt. That combination explains a lot about the wine: the limestone gives it a firm line of acidity, and the dark basalt adds a savory, faintly smoky edge. Because the blend mixes local grapes with Cabernet, it sits outside the Valpolicella DOC rules and is bottled as Veneto IGT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore Rosso 2024 blends the Valpolicella grapes Corvina and Corvinone with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Kermit Lynch, the US importer, has described the mix as roughly half local grapes and half Cabernet, with only the Cabernet portion partially dried and the Corvina and Corvinone pressed right after harvest. That split is the point: the fresh-pressed fruit keeps it lively, while the brief drying gives the Cabernet a little concentration. It then ages in large Slavonian oak casks, for far less time than any other Quintarelli red. The 2024 season opened with heavy spring rain and serious mildew pressure, then turned hot through July and August, ripening the grapes early and cleanly. Violet, fresh and brandied cherry, red currant, green peppercorn and cocoa, with fine, dusty tannin, bright acidity and a savory, peppery finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe People\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiuseppe Quintarelli, called Bepi, ran his father Silvio's estate from 1950 until his death in 2012, and in that time became the most revered traditionalist in the Veneto. He dried grapes longer, aged wines longer and refused to make Amarone at all in vintages he did not trust, and he wrote his labels by hand. He was also restless. Wine Spectator credits him with being among the first to plant Cabernet in Valpolicella, which is where this wine's backbone comes from. Today his daughter Fiorenza and her husband Giampaolo Grigoli run the estate with their sons Francesco and Lorenzo. They have kept the old methods almost untouched while tightening precision in the cellar. Primofiore is the family's youngest red, and it makes a good introduction to the house style at a fraction of the cost of the Amarone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the Quintarelli for a Tuesday. Pour it with a pizza of fennel sausage, roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella, where the acidity cuts the cheese and the peppery Cabernet picks up the fennel. Grilled lamb chops rubbed with garlic, rosemary and lemon zest match the herbal side of the Cabernet Franc. Pasta e fagioli with a drizzle of good olive oil and a shower of Grana Padano gives the Corvina's cherry fruit something earthy to sit beside. A burger with caramelized onions and aged cheddar works too, the fine tannin cleaning up the fat. Serve it with a slight chill, around 60 degrees, and it will be gone before dinner is.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelvio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51373913014495,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P9120277.jpg?v=1789272793"},{"product_id":"giuseppe-quintarelli-valpolicella-classico-superiore-2019","title":"Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Land\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Quintarelli Valpolicella is often called a baby Amarone, and at 15% alcohol with years of cask aging before release, it hardly behaves like the light, cherry-fresh red most people picture when they hear the word Valpolicella. The fruit comes from the family's hillside at Cerè in the Negrar valley, one of the valleys that make up the historic Valpolicella Classico zone in the hills north of Verona. The estate farms roughly 11 hectares on an east-facing slope called Monte Ca' Paletta, on soils of limestone and basalt. The limestone keeps acidity intact through a long ripening season, and the basalt, old volcanic rock, lends a dark, savory quality. Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella are trained on the traditional pergola veronese, which shades the bunches and slows their ripening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2019 is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara, and it is not a ripasso. About half the grapes are laid out to dry for roughly two months after harvest, the same appassimento that makes the Amarone but shorter, then fermented together with the fresh fruit. The dried portion brings body, glycerol and dried-cherry depth; the fresh portion keeps the wine lifted. It then rests in large Slavonian oak casks for years before bottling, so the wood shapes texture and not flavor. The 2019 vintage was widely praised in Valpolicella: a chilly spring cut yields and set up a long, slow maturation, and a warm late summer finished the ripening. In the glass: sour and dried cherry, toasted hazelnut, black tea, tobacco, a little orange peel and dried rose. The palate is full, the tannins worn smooth by cask time, and the finish runs savory and slightly bitter in the Italian way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe People\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilvio Quintarelli worked vineyards as a sharecropper at Figàri in Marano before moving to Cerè in 1924. His youngest son, Giuseppe, took charge in 1950 and spent six decades building the reputation that made Quintarelli the reference point for traditional Valpolicella. His rules were simple and expensive: strict selection, large old casks instead of barrique, long aging, and no Amarone at all in weak years. He wrote his labels by hand and fussed over every cork. After Bepi's death in 2012, his daughter Fiorenza and son-in-law Giampaolo Grigoli took over, and grandsons Francesco and Lorenzo now work alongside them in the cellar carved into the hill beneath the family home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with risotto all'Amarone, made with Vialone Nano rice, a splash of red wine and a finish of butter and Monte Veronese; the creaminess wraps around the wine's tannin. Pastissada de caval is the Verona classic, but a slow braise of beef cheeks in red wine with cloves and polenta does the same work, the stewed dark fruit in the wine echoing the sauce. Roast duck legs with a cherry and balsamic glaze pick up the sour cherry and match the fat with acid. For something simpler, a plate of speck, bresaola and aged Asiago lets the savory, nutty side of the wine come forward. Open it on a cold Sunday with something braising all afternoon, and it will make the house smell right.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelvio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51373913047263,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P9120276.jpg?v=1789272793"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/collections\/corvina.webp?v=1793249743","url":"https:\/\/denverwinemerchant.com\/collections\/corvina.oembed","provider":"Denver Wine Merchant","version":"1.0","type":"link"}