Rossola Nera is an ancient black grape variety from Valtellina, considered an integral part of the historic viticultural heritage of the province of Sondrio. Its origins are linked to the traditional terraced vineyards on the Rhaetian side, and its presence has been documented since at least the 17th century. For a long time, it was cultivated alongside Chiavennasca, contributing freshness, colour and a lively sense of place to local blends.
The vine has medium-sized leaves, generally three-lobed, with a deep green margin that is firm and often slightly blistered. The bunch is medium or small to medium in size, cylindrical or pyramidal in shape, sometimes with wings, and has a compact or semi-compact structure. The berry is spherical, small in size, with a pruinose, reddish-purple skin which, on the most exposed parts, tends towards blue-black.
Cultivation is concentrated mainly in the wine-growing municipalities of Valtellina, where the variety thrives in sunny exposures and benefits from the significant daily temperature variations typical of the Alps. When vinified as a single-varietal wine, it produces a ruby-red wine that is fragrant and fresh, characterised by aromas of small fruits, balanced acidity and a light to medium body, underpinned by a good level of polyphenols. Traditionally used in blends with Valtellina Nebbiolo, it can help to make the wine more dynamic and harmonious; the more structured versions acquire greater complexity and a pleasant evolution with ageing.
