In the glass
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.
- 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.
- 1960 — First documented Quintarelli Recioto bottling
- 1990 — Recioto 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.