Recioto della Valpolicella - Le Sore - 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 ancestor of Amarone, the dried-grape wine of the Valpolicella in its original sweet form, the one that the Romans appreciated two thousand years ago and that the Venetians called "the wine of the lords."

Corte Canella, a small artisan estate in the Valpolicella, produces this Recioto in extremely limited quantities — just 450 bottles of 500ml — only in vintages where the Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina grapes reach the ideal ripeness for extended drying. The 2021 vintage is one of those rare occasions.

The selected grapes are laid on traditional drying racks in the fruttaio and left to dry for 4 months — significantly longer than the standard 90 days — losing over 35% of their weight and naturally concentrating sugars, polyphenols and aromas slowly and progressively. Fermentation is arrested before the complete consumption of the sugars — the most delicate and critical moment of the entire production — preserving a harmonious and velvety natural sweetness. Ageing takes place for 24 months in oak barriques, followed by 12 months of bottle ageing before release. In total almost four years from harvest to customer.

The colour is deep ruby red, almost impenetrable, with garnet reflections. On the nose it is sumptuous and intoxicating: black cherry and morello jam, wild blackberry, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, oriental spice, dried violet, cinnamon and a balsamic hint of mint and liquorice. On the palate it is dense and velvety, with a deep natural sweetness that is never cloying — balanced by a fresh acidity that is the signature of quality Corvina — soft tannins and an exceptionally long and persistent finish with notes of cacao, dried fruit and spice. Served cool at 14-15°C in large glasses, it is a wine to share slowly on special evenings.

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