In the glass
Aroma: morello cherry, dried blackcurrant, tobacco, dried violet, cedar
Palate: sour cherry, black fruit, cedar, dried herbs, graphite
A blend of local Corvina with international Cabernet in the Quintarelli style: concentrated, savoury and structured, with the Bordeaux varieties adding colour and spine to the Valpolicella base.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
The wine's Cabernet tannins and dried-herb notes are a natural partner for slow-cooked lamb. -
Aged Monte Veronese cheese
Local hard cheese with crystalline texture picks up the wine's savoury-fruit register.
How to serve Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, Aged Monte Veronese cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Primofiore represents Quintarelli's blend of indigenous Valpolicella varieties with Cabernet, declassified to Veneto IGT to allow the non-native grapes. Despite its IGT status it is one of the estate's most sought-after bottles among collectors.
- 1983 — First Primofiore vintage as Veneto IGT
Facts
- Producer
- Giuseppe Quintarelli
- Grapes
- Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- Classification
- Veneto IGT
- Oak
- Aged 3-4 years in large Slavonian oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €120-180 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1983
Frequently asked about Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore
What does Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore taste like?
On the nose, morello cherry, dried blackcurrant, tobacco, dried violet, cedar. On the palate, sour cherry, black fruit, cedar, dried herbs, graphite. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A blend of local Corvina with international Cabernet in the Quintarelli style: concentrated, savoury and structured, with the Bordeaux varieties adding colour and spine to the Valpolicella base.
When should I drink Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore?
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder is the canonical pairing; Aged Monte Veronese cheese is the other strong match. The wine's Cabernet tannins and dried-herb notes are a natural partner for slow-cooked lamb.
What grapes are in Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore?
The blend is Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. The wine is classified as Veneto IGT.