Which grape is the main variety used in Valpolicella, Amarone, and Bardolino?

• A. Barbera-red
• B. Nebbiolo-red
• C. Corvina-red
• D. Pinot Grigio-white

Answer: (C)

Corvina is the main grape. This red variety from the Veneto region forms the backbone of Valpolicella and Bardolino, where it’s typically blended with Rondinella (and sometimes Molinara) to balance color, tannin, and acidity. For Amarone, Corvina is the leading grape among the traditional varieties used (often alongside Rondinella and Corvinone); its bright acidity holds up even as the grapes are dried through the appassimento process, contributing tangy red fruit and structure that define the wine. The other options come from different regions or are white grapes, so they don’t serve as the main variety in these Veneto wines.