Region: Piemonte
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Freisa di Chieri DOC and Freisa d’Asti DOC
Established: The DOC regions were initiated in 1972 and 1973
Primary Grape Varieties: Varietal Freisa - 90% Minimum in Chieri and 100% Freisa in Asti
Pairs with: Normally paired with pasta and local meats, the wine also marries well with grilled and fresh vegetables.
Characteristics: Commercially available Freisa wines are fresh, lively and dry reds that are matured in steel and display their naturally high tannic structure and acidity with medium body and medium alcohol. The flavors tend to display distinctive aromas and flavors of strawberry, sandalwood, earth, plum, violet, and raspberry. They are lightly colored, similar to Nebbiolo, and pack a punch with the tannin and acidity and most carry a bit of residual sugar for balance.
Serve: Room Temperature
Piemonte is one of the leading wine regions of the world, not to mention Italy, and much of the reputation comes from the fantastic Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis, Gavi, and Moscato wines. While less is known of Freisa, it is a variety that produces quality wines of character and interest. At one point in history, Freisa was planted across Lombardia, Veneto and Piemonte and was a very important wine producing grape of Northern Italy. Today it is mostly planted in and around the Asti region and is primarily produced in the two DOC production zones of Freisa di Chieri DOC and Freisa d’Asti DOC. Outside of DOC production, Freisa is commonly used as a blending agent in other regional wines.
Genetic research has shown a direct relation between Freisa and Nebbiolo, either as a parent or a child of the most important modern grape of Piemonte Barolo and Barbaresco wines. The research has not concluded the exact relationship but more than 80% of Friesa DNA is identical to Nebbiolo. Similar to its relative, Freisa grapes are packed full of tannins that require great care in the vineyard and winery.
Small and large grape varieties are known as Freisa in the area but the Grossa and Piccola are genetically dissimilar. The Piccola is known to be more aromatic and perfumed of the two.
Historical records indicate Freisa was grown in Piemonte as early as the 16th century and was very popular until Barbera and Dolcetto moved it to the background in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Global warming is helping with more consistent development of the Freisa polyphenols (color and tannin) with more sunlight and heat aiding in the accumulation and synthesis of color and tannin while achieving grape and phenolic balance in the riper grapes. Freisa often expresses a unique bitterness on the finish and variable levels of residual sweetness that make the wine less enticing than other Piemontese options. With the warmer weather and resulting soft and more refined tannin structure, Freisa based wines are growing in popularity.
Commercially available Freisa wines are fresh, lively and dry reds that are matured in steel and display their naturally high tannic structure and acidity with medium body and medium alcohol. The flavors tend to display distinctive aromas and flavors of strawberry, sandalwood, earth, plum, violet, and raspberry. They are lightly colored, similar to Nebbiolo, and pack a punch with the tannin and acidity and most carry a bit of residual sugar for balance.
The two DOC regions produce varietal blends of greater than 90% Freisa with Chieri requiring 90% in their Rosso, Superiore and Spumante presentations. Asti DOC wines are 100% Freisa. The DOC regulations are identical for aging requirements, which include a minimum of one year total age with at least 6 months in bottle. There is no requirement for time in barrel. In both cases, the spumante wines are produced at variable levels of sweetness and are typically around $20 in the open market. The DOC regions focus on still wines with a serious aim at quality while also producing the high-powered and fun frizzante, commonly described as a super Lambrusco.
The Freisa di Chieri DOC focuses on Freisa as a traditional grape worthy of continued cultivation and focus. The vineyards are generally located around the town on Chieri. Freisa d’Asti covers the entire province of Asti, including all of Monferrato Astigiano. Freisa has held a particularly strong foothold here, especially in the hills north of Asti. The still, superiore, frizzante and spumante styles can be found ranging from totally dry to off-dry and semi-sweet. The most traditional style is off-dry frizzante.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Freisa di Chieri DOC and Freisa d’Asti DOC
Established: The DOC regions were initiated in 1972 and 1973
Primary Grape Varieties: Varietal Freisa - 90% Minimum in Chieri and 100% Freisa in Asti
Pairs with: Normally paired with pasta and local meats, the wine also marries well with grilled and fresh vegetables.
Characteristics: Commercially available Freisa wines are fresh, lively and dry reds that are matured in steel and display their naturally high tannic structure and acidity with medium body and medium alcohol. The flavors tend to display distinctive aromas and flavors of strawberry, sandalwood, earth, plum, violet, and raspberry. They are lightly colored, similar to Nebbiolo, and pack a punch with the tannin and acidity and most carry a bit of residual sugar for balance.
Serve: Room Temperature
Piemonte is one of the leading wine regions of the world, not to mention Italy, and much of the reputation comes from the fantastic Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis, Gavi, and Moscato wines. While less is known of Freisa, it is a variety that produces quality wines of character and interest. At one point in history, Freisa was planted across Lombardia, Veneto and Piemonte and was a very important wine producing grape of Northern Italy. Today it is mostly planted in and around the Asti region and is primarily produced in the two DOC production zones of Freisa di Chieri DOC and Freisa d’Asti DOC. Outside of DOC production, Freisa is commonly used as a blending agent in other regional wines.
Genetic research has shown a direct relation between Freisa and Nebbiolo, either as a parent or a child of the most important modern grape of Piemonte Barolo and Barbaresco wines. The research has not concluded the exact relationship but more than 80% of Friesa DNA is identical to Nebbiolo. Similar to its relative, Freisa grapes are packed full of tannins that require great care in the vineyard and winery.
Small and large grape varieties are known as Freisa in the area but the Grossa and Piccola are genetically dissimilar. The Piccola is known to be more aromatic and perfumed of the two.
Historical records indicate Freisa was grown in Piemonte as early as the 16th century and was very popular until Barbera and Dolcetto moved it to the background in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Global warming is helping with more consistent development of the Freisa polyphenols (color and tannin) with more sunlight and heat aiding in the accumulation and synthesis of color and tannin while achieving grape and phenolic balance in the riper grapes. Freisa often expresses a unique bitterness on the finish and variable levels of residual sweetness that make the wine less enticing than other Piemontese options. With the warmer weather and resulting soft and more refined tannin structure, Freisa based wines are growing in popularity.
Commercially available Freisa wines are fresh, lively and dry reds that are matured in steel and display their naturally high tannic structure and acidity with medium body and medium alcohol. The flavors tend to display distinctive aromas and flavors of strawberry, sandalwood, earth, plum, violet, and raspberry. They are lightly colored, similar to Nebbiolo, and pack a punch with the tannin and acidity and most carry a bit of residual sugar for balance.
The two DOC regions produce varietal blends of greater than 90% Freisa with Chieri requiring 90% in their Rosso, Superiore and Spumante presentations. Asti DOC wines are 100% Freisa. The DOC regulations are identical for aging requirements, which include a minimum of one year total age with at least 6 months in bottle. There is no requirement for time in barrel. In both cases, the spumante wines are produced at variable levels of sweetness and are typically around $20 in the open market. The DOC regions focus on still wines with a serious aim at quality while also producing the high-powered and fun frizzante, commonly described as a super Lambrusco.
The Freisa di Chieri DOC focuses on Freisa as a traditional grape worthy of continued cultivation and focus. The vineyards are generally located around the town on Chieri. Freisa d’Asti covers the entire province of Asti, including all of Monferrato Astigiano. Freisa has held a particularly strong foothold here, especially in the hills north of Asti. The still, superiore, frizzante and spumante styles can be found ranging from totally dry to off-dry and semi-sweet. The most traditional style is off-dry frizzante.
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