Recioto is the historic sweet expression of Valpolicella, a style that was established long before dry Amarone became famous. Giuseppe Quintarelli's Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2019 reflects this tradition through selective harvesting, the natural drying of grapes and exceptionally patient maturation. The resulting wine is rich and sweet, yet its freshness and structure make it much more than a dessert accompaniment. The 375 ml half-bottle is well suited to an unhurried tasting at the end of a meal.

The Quintarelli estate in Negrar

The family estate is based in Negrar di Valpolicella, north of Verona, among the historic hills of the Classico zone. Here, sloping vineyards include limestone and basalt components in their soils. Traditional practices, careful grape selection and long ageing are central to the estate's approach. The Recioto is not necessarily made in every vintage: its intermittent production is part of the character of this distinctive sweet wine.

A blend of traditional and complementary grapes

The traditional house blend contains 55% Corvina and Corvinone combined, 30% Rondinella, and a further 15% shared by Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese. The individual proportions within those combined groups are not separately specified. Carefully selected bunches are laid out after harvest so that the grapes can slowly lose moisture and develop greater concentration before vinification.

Appassimento and extended Slavonian oak ageing

The traditional appassimento process allows the bunches to dry naturally for several months in well-ventilated rooms, on racks or in boxes. This concentrates sugars and flavours. Slow fermentation then transforms part of those natural sugars into alcohol, while retaining sufficient residual grape sugar to give Recioto its sweet character. Unlike dry Amarone, sweetness is fundamental to its identity. Quintarelli's traditional method includes approximately five to six years of maturation in Slavonian oak casks, allowing the aromas and texture to develop gradually.

Character in the glass and food pairings

The wine's characteristic profile combines a deep ruby colour with aromas of ripe black cherry, sour cherry, dried fruit, sweet spice, cocoa and dark chocolate. The palate is full and velvety, with pronounced sweetness balanced by freshness and a long, layered finish. This balance gives the wine the complexity required for thoughtful, slow sipping.

Serve with dark chocolate cake, cocoa-based desserts, almond biscuits or blue and mature cheeses. It can also be enjoyed on its own after dinner. A serving temperature of approximately 14–16°C allows the fruit and spice notes to emerge. The 2019 vintage comes in a 375 ml bottle, a convenient size for sharing a special dessert wine.

Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG · 2019 vintage · Veneto, Italy · 375 ml bottle. Contains sulphites.