Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso

Infobox grape variety
name = Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso

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caption = A bottle of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso from Aquileia
species = "Vitis vinifera"
also_called = Terrano
origin = Member of the Refosco family. Believed to have originated in Italy
hazards = Late ripenning
regions = Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Slovenia, Veneto
notable_wines =

Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is a red Italian wine grape grown predominately in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeast Italy. The grape is a sub-variety of the Refosco grape and derives it name from its red stems. The grape has a long history and was praised by Pliny the Elder in the first century for the quality of wine it produces. Today it is found in the "Denominazione di origine controllata" (DOC) of Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli Aquileia, Friuli Grave and Friuli Latisana. It is also found in the Veneto portion of the Lison Pramaggiore and in the Slovenian wine region of Koper. J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 564-565 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906 ] In Slovenia, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Refosco are both called "Terrano" are commonly used in a field blend. J. Robinson "Vines, Grapes & Wines" pg 201 Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996 ]

History

Like the main Refosco grape, the origins of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso are not completely known but current evidence suggest that it is indigenous to Italy. The grape was well known in antiquity and was praised by the Roman writer Pliny the Elder for the quality of wine it produced. In 1390, the Italian writer Francesco di Manzano noted that wine made from Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso was the favorite of Augustus's wife Livia. [ ItalianMade [http://www.italianmade.com/library/PDFs/Vinotizie200412.pdf Vinotizie Volume 10, Number 3] pg 6 December 2004 ] Beginning in the 1980s, the grape experienced a revival in interest along with other Friuli-Venezia Giulia grapes, and more wines made from the grape were exported internationally. Ampelographers have long thought Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso was related to the Marzemino grape of the San Michele all'Adige region of Trento. In the early 21st century, DNA profiling confirmed that Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso was a parent of Marzemino.

Viticulture and wine

In Friuli, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso vines are planted in both hillside and level terrain. Ripening is a concern and the grape requires sufficient access to warmth and sunlight, which play a major role in deciding where to plant the grape. Despite being a slow ripener, the grape does have good resistance to rot that can develop during autumn rains. The deeply colored wine produced from the grape tends to be full-bodied with high acidity levels and flavors of plum & almond notes. Since the renewed interest in the grape of the 1980s, winemakers have experimented with producing more internationally recognizable styles of the grape with techniques like malolactic fermentation and new oak aging to mix results.

References