Winemaker Notes
Freisa is a red Italian wine grape variety grown primarily in thePiedmont region of north-west Italy, but also further north in the provinces of Turin and Biella. Freisa is a vigorous and productive vine producing round, blue-black grapes. The three-lobed leaves are relatively small and the bunches are elongated in form. By the 1880s it had become one of the major Piedmontese grapes, and in that period its cultivation was stimulated by the vine’s resistance to the downy mildew. Wines made from the Freisa grape are red and often slightly sweet and lightly sparkling. Still and fully sparkling versions are also produced. Recent DNA profiling has revealed that Freisa has a parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo
aromas: lilac, strawberries, blackberry, spice flavors: wild berries, vibrant cherry, plum, crushed herbs, earth texture: clean, structured, crunchy tannins, persistent
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Do you ever get tired of heavy red wines? I do, and that is why I was so drawn to the delectable 2017 Harrington Skow Vineyard Freisa. TASTING NOTES: This wine is fun, delicious, and real. Its aromas and flavors of charming red fruits make it a perfect foil with light al fresco meals. (Tasted: September 25, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
Taking advantage of the cool Pacific breezes that arrive via gaps between the Gabilan Range and the Santa Lucia Mountains, San Benito AVA is a great Central coast source for cool climate whites and Pinot noir.