Red grape
Corvina
A high-acid Veneto red grape known for sour cherry, used in Valpolicella and Amarone.
At a glance
- Sour cherry
- High acidity
- Bitter almond
Recognize it
High acidity and sour cherry are common clues, often with a bitter almond note on the finish. Lighter Valpolicella styles can be pale and light-bodied, while Amarone becomes much fuller through dried-grape production.
Similar grapes
Sangiovese
Similar sour cherry and high acidity.
Difference Sangiovese usually has firmer tannin and more body.
Barbera
Similar high acidity and relatively low tannin.
Difference Barbera is deeper in color and lacks Corvina's typical almond note.