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Refosco (more specifically, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso) is the red grape star of Northern Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. This ancient variety yields powerful, dark ruby-colored wines that surprise with aromas of wild blackberries, black plums, and freshly ground pepper. It is a bold choice for fans of rich, tannic wines that also boast exceptionally crisp acidity.
Read moreRefosco is a family of grapes, but the highest quality and most famous representative is "Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso". When choosing, pay attention to whether the wine has been aged in oak.
Naturally, Refosco possesses very high acidity and firm (sometimes even harsh) tannins. Top winemakers age these wines in old or new oak barrels, which help the wine oxidize, soften the tannins, and provide the drink with a velvety texture and elegant notes of vanilla, coffee, or smoke. Wines aged in steel tanks will be significantly "sharper" and more focused on crisp forest fruits.
The rich texture, herbal notes, and firm acidity make Refosco a perfect partner for hearty regional gastronomy. It pairs fantastically with game, beef steaks, oven-roasted lamb, spicy meat sausages, and aged mountain cheeses (e.g., Montasio). The acidity cuts through the richness of fatty foods perfectly.
In Italian, "Peduncolo Rosso" literally means "red stem." This grape variety is named for a unique visual characteristic—the stem of the grape cluster connecting the berries to the vine branch turns bright red as autumn approaches. It is this specific clone that is recognized as producing the highest quality wines in the entire Refosco family.
Yes. If you are opening a Refosco bottle younger than 5 years old, it is highly recommended to decant it for at least 1–2 hours before serving. Contact with oxygen will help soften the firm tannins and allow the complex bouquet of spices and dark fruit aromas to fully open up.
