Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is one of the most representative indigenous grape varieties of north-eastern Italy and the leading member of the Refosco family. Present in Friuli Venezia Giulia for centuries, it is mentioned in historical sources dating back at least to the 18th century and owes its name to the characteristic reddish colour of the stalk when ripe. The leaf is large, rounded and generally three-lobed, with a V-shaped petiole sinus and a slightly pitted surface; the bunch, of medium size, is pyramidal, winged and moderately loose. The berries are spherical, of medium size, with a thick, tough skin and a blue-black colour, characteristics that promote good colour and phenolic concentration.
Its traditional growing region is Friuli Venezia Giulia, particularly the provinces of Udine, Pordenone and Gorizia, with notable examples in the Colli Orientali, the Grave, the Aquileia area and along the Isonzo river valley. It is also grown in eastern Veneto, particularly in areas close to the Friulian border. A late-ripening variety, it thrives in hilly locations, where acidity and phenolic ripeness can achieve a harmonious balance.
The wine has an intense ruby-red colour, often with rich violet hues, which can evolve towards garnet tones with ageing. The aromatic profile is intense and fruity, with notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, plum and wild berries, accompanied by herbaceous and mineral undertones. On the palate, it is dry, fresh, tannic and well-structured, with a pleasant length and a strong potential for development in the bottle.
