Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico by

Structure

Bodyfull

Tanninmedium

Aciditymedium

Sweetnesssweet

Finishlong

Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 5 to 30 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs30 yrs32 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedMedium tanninMedium aciditySweetLong finish

Aroma: dried cherry, dark chocolate, violets, dried fig, cinnamon, incense

Palate: chocolate-covered cherry, raisin, espresso, liquorice, dried orange peel

The sweet passito counterpart to Quintarelli's Amarone: residual sugar balanced by firm tannins and high acidity producing a luscious yet structured dessert red with decades-long ageing potential.

What it pairs with

Dark chocolate fondant The wine's chocolate and dried-cherry notes echo the cocoa bitterness.More wines for chocolate →
Gorgonzola dolce Sweet Recioto bridges the creamy saltiness of Gorgonzola beautifully.More wines for blue cheese →
Dried fruit and walnut cake The wine's raisin and fig notes harmonise with the concentrated baked fruit.More wines for dessert →

With cheese

Grana Padano Our pick Recioto is a sweet red from dried grapes. Against aged, granular Grana Padano the cheese's salt and savoury crunch play off the wine's sugar, a milder version of the sweet and salty contrast of Recioto with blue cheese.

How to serve Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour) , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
Pair with. Dark chocolate fondant, Gorgonzola dolce, Dried fruit and walnut cake. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Recioto predates Amarone historically as the prestige wine of Valpolicella, using only the upper grape clusters (reci) with the highest concentration. Quintarelli's version is the gold standard, made in small quantity and aged with the same patience as his dry wines.

1960First documented Quintarelli Recioto bottling
1990Recioto della Valpolicella awarded DOCG status

Facts

Producer: Giuseppe Quintarelli
Grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara
Classification: Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Oak: Aged 5-6 years in large Slavonian oak
ABV: 14.0%
Price: €250-400 at retail (500ml)
Drinking window: 5-30 from vintage
First vintage: 1960

Frequently asked about Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

What does Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico taste like?

On the nose, dried cherry, dark chocolate, violets, dried fig, cinnamon. On the palate, chocolate-covered cherry, raisin, espresso, liquorice, dried orange peel. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. The sweet passito counterpart to Quintarelli's Amarone: residual sugar balanced by firm tannins and high acidity producing a luscious yet structured dessert red with decades-long ageing potential.

When should I drink Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico?

Drink 5-30 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 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico?

Dark chocolate fondant is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Gorgonzola dolce and Dried fruit and walnut cake. The wine's chocolate and dried-cherry notes echo the cocoa bitterness.

What grapes are in Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico?

The blend is Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara. The wine is classified as Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG.

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