Recioto della Valpolicella - Vitefà - Corte Canella

The Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG Vitefà by Corte Canella is one of the rarest, most historic, and most fascinating wines in the entire Veronese production, the progenitor of Amarone, the dried-grape wine of Valpolicella in its original sweet form - the form already appreciated by the Romans two thousand years ago and which the Venetians called "the wine of gentlemen".

Corte Canella, a small artisan winery in Valpolicella, produces this Recioto in extremely limited quantities, only in years when the Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes reach the ideal maturity for prolonged drying.

The selected grapes are laid out on traditional racks in the drying loft and left to dry for 90-120 days, losing more than 35% of their weight and naturally concentrating sugars, polyphenols, and aromas. Fermentation is stopped before the sugars are completely consumed — the most delicate and critical moment of the entire production process — preserving a harmonious, velvety natural sweetness. The wine is aged in oak barrels for as long as necessary to develop aromatic complexity.

The color is deep ruby red, almost impenetrable, with garnet reflections. On the nose, it is sumptuous and intoxicating: black cherry and sour cherry preserve, wild blackberry, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, Oriental spices, dried violet, cinnamon, and a balsamic hint of mint and licorice. On the palate, it is dense and velvety, with a profound yet never cloying natural sweetness — balanced by the fresh acidity that is the hallmark of quality Corvina — soft tannins, and an exceptionally long, lingering finish with notes of cocoa, dried fruit, and spices. Served chilled at 14-16°C in large glasses, it is a wine to be shared slowly on special evenings.

The Veronese story in a glass — before someone forgot to stop the fermentation and Amarone was born.