red grape · regional specialty
Grignolino
Monferrato Casalese, Italy
Say it
gree·nyo·lee·no
The name comes from the Piedmontese grignòle for grape seeds.
On the palate
rosestrawberrywhite peppersagepomegranate
How you spot it blind: pale red color yet firm tannins from its many seeds
The story
First written down · 1614, Casale Monferrato, Italy
It is native to Monferrato between Asti and Casale Monferrato, with a 1614 record in the Casale castle cellar. Plantings later shrank because it is disease-sensitive and buyers favored darker, fuller wines. Recent interest and producer projects such as Monferace have renewed attention to longer-aged styles.
Where it lives
Monferrato Casalese, Piedmont, Italy · Asti hills, Piedmont, Italy · Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy, Italy
Shows up as
still redrosésparkling