Raboso del Piave is an ancient indigenous grape variety from eastern Veneto, historically rooted in the countryside through which the River Piave flows. Its presence has been documented since at least the 17th century: as early as 1679, the agronomist Giacomo Agostinetti described it as a grape with a ‘strong character’. The name may derive from the Raboso stream, near Conegliano, or from the wine’s pronounced acidity, which gives it a distinct character. The leaf is medium-sized, orbicular or pentagonal, generally three- or five-lobed, with a slightly blistered margin; in autumn it can take on intense reddish hues. The bunch is medium-sized, cylindrical-pyramidal, compact and often featuring one or two wings. The berries, spherical and of medium size, have a thick, leathery skin rich in bloom, blue-black in colour, whilst the flesh is juicy and characterised by a marked, tangy freshness. It is mainly grown in the provinces of Treviso and Venice, along the course of the River Piave, with significant plantings also in the Padua area of Bagnoli, where it is known as Friularo. The wine has an intense ruby-red colour, sometimes with violet or garnet hues, aromas of morello cherry, blackberry, violet and spices, and a substantial structure, supported by acidity and tannins. Its long ageing potential and ability to be stored earned it the old nickname ‘vin da viajo’.
