The Refosco
Grape
A group of grape varieties native to northeastern Italy, known for producing deeply colored, full-bodied wines with high acidity and tannins, offering flavors of dark berries, plums, and herbs, with a rustic character.
Refosco
Grape History
Refosco is a distinctive red wine grape variety that has a long and storied history. Believed to have originated in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, Refosco has been cultivated for centuries, with records dating back to the 13th century. The name "Refosco" is thought to have been derived from the Italian word "refosco," which means "grape with small berries."
This grape variety is known for its thick skin and high acidity, which make it well-suited for producing robust and full-bodied red wines. Refosco wines are often characterized by their deep color, intense flavors, and firm tannins. They typically exhibit notes of dark berries, spice, and earthy undertones.
Refosco is primarily grown in Italy, particularly in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto regions. However, it is also cultivated in other parts of the world, including Slovenia, Croatia, and California. In Slovenia, Refosco is known as Refošk, while in Croatia, it is called Teran.
In Italy, Refosco is used to produce a variety of wines, including both single-varietal bottlings and blends. Some of the most famous wines made from Refosco include Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Refosco dal Peduncolo Giallo. These wines are known for their rich flavors and aging potential.
The future of Refosco looks promising as more winemakers around the world are starting to recognize its potential. With its ability to produce complex and age-worthy wines, Refosco is gaining popularity among wine enthusiasts who appreciate bold and distinctive red wines. Winemakers are experimenting with different winemaking techniques to highlight the unique characteristics of this grape variety, leading to a renewed interest in Refosco wines.
Overall, Refosco is a fascinating grape variety with a rich history and exciting future ahead. Its distinctive flavors and robust nature make it a standout choice for both wine enthusiasts and winemakers looking to create wines with depth and character.
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