🍇 Freisa

Freisa is a red grape from Piedmont in north-western Italy. It is an old local variety and a relative of Nebbiolo, the region's most famous grape. The berries are dark with thick skins, and the grape gives a lot of tannin and acidity.

Freisa wine can be very different. It is made still, dry and off-sweet, and also sparkling and lightly fizzy. The aroma is bright, with notes of strawberry, raspberry and flowers. Tannins are noticeable and acidity high, so the wine is rather sharp and suits rich food: charcuterie, cold cuts and pasta. The main appellations are Freisa d'Asti, Freisa di Chieri and Collina Torinese.

Freisa belongs to Italian wine and the grape varieties of Piedmont. Interest in it has grown in recent decades, because it gives distinctive wines unlike others. It is a good example that Italy has many grapes known only in their own area. The wine is served slightly chilled.