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 in the header 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.
  • Gorgonzola dolce
    Sweet Recioto bridges the creamy saltiness of Gorgonzola beautifully.
  • Dried fruit and walnut cake
    The wine's raisin and fig notes harmonise with the concentrated baked fruit.

How to serve Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour) , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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.

  1. 1960: First documented Quintarelli Recioto bottling
  2. 1990: Recioto della Valpolicella awarded DOCG status

Facts

Producer
Giuseppe Quintarelli · visiting guide
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.

Tags

cellar worthy corvina corvinone cult wine dessert passito full body iconic medium acid medium tannin molinara mood contemplative mood romantic occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old world pairs with blue cheese pairs with chocolate pairs with fruit desserts price luxury rondinella sweet

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