2016 Amarone della Valpolicella, Marion, Marcellise, Veneto, Italy

Corvina is widely grown on the Veneto shore of Lake Garda and the hills of Valpolicella to the north and north-east of Verona. Sometimes known as Corvina Veronese, it is blended with Rondinella and Molinara to produce Valpolicella and Bardolino. It can be a tricky grape to cultivate, as it ripens late and is prone to rot if affected by rains at harvest time. It is a high-yielding grape and quality is very dependent on keeping yields low. Corvina-based red wines can range in style from a light, cherryish red to the rich, port-like Recioto and Amarone Valpolicellas. Most Valpolicella from the plains is pale and insipid, and bears little comparison with Valpolicella Classico from the hills. Some producers such as Allegrini are now producing very high quality 100% Corvina wines.

This Valpolicella estate is owned and run by the Campadelli family, who purchased the property in 1986. Based in the valley of Marcellise, just outside the Classico zone, it’s home to a splendid 15th century villa once owned by the Conte Marioni. Stefano Campedelli – a trained surveyor – was delighted at a chance to escape the office. Working with his wife, Nicoletta Fornasa, and brother, Marco, they started bottling in 1995, and today they farm 22 hectares, producing around 70,000 bottles a year. The wines have been fine-tuned over the years, but their hallmark is fruit purity, aided by the vineyards’ chalky soils.