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The Piedirosso Grape

A red grape variety indigenous to the Campania region of Italy, particularly associated with the areas around Naples. Piedirosso produces medium-bodied wines with soft tannins and a flavor profile that includes red fruits, herbs, and a volcanic minerality, often blended with Aglianico to add freshness and aromatic complexity.

Piedirosso Grape History

Piedirosso is a lesser-known red wine grape variety that holds an intriguing history and potential for growth in the world of winemaking. Originally hailing from the Campania region in southern Italy, particularly in the area surrounding Mount Vesuvius, Piedirosso has been cultivated for centuries. Its name, Piedirosso, translates to "red foot" in Italian, referring to the reddish color of the vine's stems, giving a nod to its distinctive appearance.

Historically, Piedirosso was often blended with other local grape varieties, such as Aglianico and Sciascinoso, to add depth and complexity to the resulting wines. However, in recent years, winemakers have begun to appreciate the unique characteristics of Piedirosso on its own, leading to an increase in single-varietal wines featuring this grape.

Piedirosso is known for producing wines with a ruby red color and aromas of red fruits, such as cherry and raspberry, with hints of spices and earthiness. It typically yields wines with medium body and moderate tannins, making them versatile and approachable for a wide range of wine enthusiasts.

In terms of where it is grown, Piedirosso thrives in the volcanic soils of Campania, benefiting from the region's warm climate and ample sunshine. While it is primarily found in Campania, specifically in areas like the province of Naples and the islands of Ischia and Procida, Piedirosso plantings are also starting to emerge in other parts of Italy, as well as in other wine regions around the world.

Piedirosso is often used to create varietal wines, as well as blended into famous wines such as Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, a renowned red wine from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Its versatility in blending and standalone potential makes it a valuable grape for winemakers looking to craft distinctive and expressive wines.

Looking to the future, Piedirosso has the potential to gain recognition and popularity on the global wine stage. As consumers seek out unique and indigenous grape varieties, Piedirosso's distinct flavor profile and regional identity could make it a sought-after choice for wine enthusiasts. With a focus on producing high-quality wines that showcase the best attributes of this grape, Piedirosso has a promising future ahead in the world of viticulture and winemaking.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!

I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....

After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.

Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.

Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.

As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.

Cheers! - Franklin Laurel