red grape · regional staple
Refosco
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Say it
reh·fohs·kohdahlped·oon·koh·lohrohs·soh
The 'sc' before 'o' is a hard /sk/ sound, not /sh/; often shortened to 'reh-FOHS-koh' in casual use.
On the palate
blackberryblack cherryblack plumvioletblack pepperalmond
How you spot it blind: persistent bitter almond finish on an inky, high-acid, firmly tannic frame
The story
First written down · 1390, Friuli, Italy
DNA analysis (Grando et al., 2006) confirmed a first-degree genetic relationship with Marzemino and Teroldego, establishing indigenous northeastern Italian origin and disproving the long-held Greek importation theory.
Where it lives
Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy · Friuli Grave, Italy · Lison-Pramaggiore, Italy · Primorska, Slovenia
Shows up as
still redFriuli Colli Orientali DOCFriuli Grave DOCLison-Pramaggiore DOC
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Also answers to Refošk, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Teran (disputed).
Shop our Refosco bottles