# Refosco

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Variety of grape

Refosco Grape (Vitis) Color of berry skin Noir Species Vitis vinifera Origin Italy, Slovenia VIVC number 9989

**Refosco** is a very old family of dark-skinned [grape](/source/Grape) [varieties](/source/Variety_(botany)) native to the [Venetian](/source/Venetian_wine) zone and neighbouring areas of [Friuli Venezia Giulia](/source/Friuli-Venezia_Giulia_wine), [Gavi](/source/Cortese_di_Gavi), [Trentino](/source/Trentino_(wine)),[1] [Istria](/source/Istria), and [Karst Plateau](/source/Kras_Plateau).[2] It is considered [autochthonous](/source/Indigenous_(ecology)) in these regions.

The wines this grape yields can be quite powerful and [tannic](/source/Tannin_(wine)), with a deep violet color and a slight bitterness. On the palate, there are strong currant, wild berry and plum flavors. The wine can stand some aging (depending on variety), and after a period of four-to-ten years, it achieves a floral quality as well. Refosco should be served at 16 °C (60.8 °F), or if it is particularly rich in tannin, at 18 °C (64.4 °F). It goes best with charcuterie, game, and grilled poultry.[2]

## Varieties

Slovenian refosco grapes

There are several varieties of refosco family:[3][4]

- [Refosco dal peduncolo rosso](/source/Refosco_dal_peduncolo_rosso) - probably the most internationally recognizable refosco wine. Cluster has the red stalk (peduncle), referring to the red stem that holds the grapes to the vine. In the attempt of making the wine more approachable to an international palate, recent versions have taken well to new oak and [cold fermentation](/source/Cold_fermentation). The most well known examples of Refosco come from the [Colli Orientali](/source/Colli_Orientali) region of Friuli.[3]

- Refosco d'Istria (Refosko Istriano or Refosco dal pedunculo verde) - this variety is grown in [Slovenian](/source/Slovenian_wine) and [Croatian](/source/Croatia) parts of [Istria](/source/Istria), and around [Trieste](/source/Trieste) in Italy under the name of Refošk or Refosco d'Istria.[2]

- [Teran](/source/Teran_(grape)) or Terrano - this refosko variety (and wine) is typical for [Carso DOC](/source/Carso_DOC) and [Slovenian](/source/Slovenian_wine) [Karst](/source/Karst) region under the name [Terrano Carso](/source/Terrano_(grape)) or [Kraški teran](/source/Teran_(grape)) respectively.[2][5][6] It is also grown in Croatian [Istria](/source/Istria) on a very similar red soil under the name [Istarski Teran](/source/Teran_grape) or Teran–Croatian Istria. Some[*[who?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions)*] say that Teran is just other refosko varieties grown on [Terra Rossa](/source/Terra_Rossa),[7] while others consider it its own variety.[2][8]

- Refosco di Faedis - a variety cultivated in [Faedis](/source/Faedis) region, Torreano di Cividale, Povoletto, Attimis, Nimis in northeast region of [Province of Udine](/source/Province_of_Udine). It is very rare and produced in small quantities. It is said to be the parent of all other refosko grapes in the region as it has many characteristics of all other refosco varieties (including high levels of acids and iron typical for [Teran](/source/Teran_(grape))) [9]

- Refosco di Rauscedo [10]

- Refosco nostrano [11]

- Refoscone [12] - some[*[who?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions)*] say that this is just Refosco di Faedis.[13]

- [Refosco di Guarnieri](/source/Refosco_di_Guarnieri), another name for the Veneto wine grape Trevisana nera.[14]

## Origin and history

Refosco dal peduncolo rosso (IGT wine "Tre Venezie")

The Refosco family have a very long history, but details of the early history are not clear. DNA analysis of Refosco dal Pedunculo Rosso has revealed a relationship with [Marzemino](/source/Marzemino), another ancient variety of northern Italy.[15]

Some authorities have previously suggested that [Mondeuse noire](/source/Mondeuse_noire), which is primarily found in the [Savoy](/source/Savoy_wine) region in eastern France, is identical to Refosco dal Pedunculo Rosso due to the similarity of the wines. DNA analysis has shown that this is not the case, and that the two varieties are unrelated.[16]

Several oenologists believe that wines made from Refosco family grapes are the old **Roman puccinum**. The grapes were well known in [antiquity](/source/Classical_antiquity) and a variety of Refosco wine was praised by the [Roman](/source/Ancient_Rome) writer [Pliny the Elder](/source/Pliny_the_Elder) in the first century for its quality. In his work [Naturalis Historia](/source/Natural_History_(Pliny)) he mentioned that *puccinum* was made of grapes grown in the north Adriatic near the spring of [Timavo](/source/Timavo) - a typical Karst river:

- *... This is the Region of the Carni, joining that of Japides : the River Timavus, and the Castle Pucinum, famous for good Wine. ...*

- Pliniy, Natural History, CHAPTER XVIII. Venetia, the tenth Region.) [17]

Puccinum was the favorite of [Augustus](/source/Augustus)'s wife [Livia](/source/Livia).[18][19][20]

There is also a contrary theory that puccinum could be a sweet white [prosecco](/source/Prosecco). This theory was supported by Italian Prof. Gianni Dalmasso[21] who claimed that Livia could not like the bitter taste of Refosco wine and that the only possible wine she could like was a sweet variety of [prosecco](/source/Prosecco) grown in the [Trieste](/source/Trieste) region.[18] There is also a comment on the medieval map *Prosecho ol:Pucinum, hinc vina a Plinio | tantopere laudata* (Prosecho, once called Pucinum. From here comes wine highly praised by Plinius), from Gregorio Amaseo, (1464–1541).[22]

Even the famous [Giacomo Casanova](/source/Giacomo_Casanova) liked the Refosco wine, as he describes it in his [book of memories](/source/Histoire_de_ma_vie):

- *... His Refosco, which was even better than my devout hostess's had been, made me forget all my troubles. ...*:

- Giacomo Casanova. History of my life. Volume 1, Chapter 8, p. 207. Translated by Willard R. Trask. JHU Press. 1966[23]

It is believed that one of the reasons the [Habsburgs](/source/Habsburgs) built the [Parenzana](/source/Parenzana) railway from [Trieste](/source/Trieste) to [Poreč](/source/Pore%C4%8D) was because they liked the wines from the region (Refosco, Malvasia and Teran). That is also why the railway was often referred to as a wine railroad or vineyard railway.[24]

## See also

- [Terrano (grape)](/source/Terrano_(grape))

- [List of grape varieties](/source/List_of_grape_varieties)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Jancis Robinson](/source/Jancis_Robinson), ed. (2006). ["Refosco"](https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/564). *[Oxford Companion to Wine](/source/Oxford_Companion_to_Wine)* (Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. [564](https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/564). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-860990-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-860990-6).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mkrefosk_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mkrefosk_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-mkrefosk_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-mkrefosk_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-mkrefosk_2-4) [Matkurja - Refošk](http://www.matkurja.com/projects/wine/wines/red/refosk.html), accessed 29 June 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CN2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CN2_3-1) [http://www.chalmersnurseries.com/www/varieties/refoscodalpeduncolo/refoscodalpeduncolo.htm](http://www.chalmersnurseries.com/www/varieties/refoscodalpeduncolo/refoscodalpeduncolo.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160315044710/http://www.chalmersnurseries.com/www/varieties/refoscodalpeduncolo/refoscodalpeduncolo.htm) 2016-03-15 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Chalmers Nurseries - Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, accessed 22 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-steras_4-0)** [Vina Steras - Refošk](http://www.steras.com/Sorte/rf_sorte.htm)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*], Slovene, accessed 22 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-winecountry_5-0)** [Friuli – Venezia Giulia Wines](http://www.winecountry.it/regions/friuli/index.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110929083242/http://www.winecountry.it/regions/friuli/index.html) 2011-09-29 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), accessed 22 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Matkurja - Teran](http://www.matkurja.com/projects/wine/wines/red/kraski-teran.html), accessed 29 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-slowenienweine_7-0)** [The Association of Wine Educators - Visit to Slovenia](http://www.wineeducators.com/articles1.htm), accessed 22 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Nepce - Refošk](https://web.archive.org/web/20110625030626/http://nepce.com/vina/crno-vino-pili-smo/2011/refosk-veralda-2007/), Croatian, accessed 29 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rdf_9-0)** ["Refosco di Faedis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120326000840/http://www.refoscodifaedis.it/eng/home.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.refoscodifaedis.it/eng/home.html) on 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2011-06-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rdr_10-0)** [http://www.eu-vitis.de/datasheet/accDataResult.php?data=ITA368%23SANOSVALDO%2F254U55-79](http://www.eu-vitis.de/datasheet/accDataResult.php?data=ITA368%23SANOSVALDO%2F254U55-79) The European Vitis Database - Refosco di Rauscedo.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rn_11-0)** [The European Vitis Database - Refosco nostrano](http://www.eu-vitis.de/datasheet/accDataResult.php?data=ITA388-R%231172).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-refoscone_12-0)** [The European Vitis Database - Refoscone](http://www.eu-vitis.de/datasheet/accDataResult.php?data=ITA368-SANOSVALDO%2F227U54-04).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ft_13-0)** [Friuli Tipico - La grande famiglia del vino Refosco friulano: dal Refoscone al Terrano](http://friulitipico.org/prt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=400&Itemid=36), Italian, accessed 06/29/2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz. *Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours*, pp. 1084-1085, Allen Lane 2012 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-846-14446-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-846-14446-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Jancis Robinson](/source/Jancis_Robinson), ed. (2006). ["Refosco dal Pedunculo Rosso"](https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/564). *[Oxford Companion to Wine](/source/Oxford_Companion_to_Wine)* (Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. [564–565](https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/564). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-860990-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-860990-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Jancis Robinson](/source/Jancis_Robinson), ed. (2006). ["Mondeuse"](https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/448). *[Oxford Companion to Wine](/source/Oxford_Companion_to_Wine)* (Third ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. [448](https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/448). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-860990-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-860990-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pliny_17-0)** [Archive.org - Full text of "Pliny's Natural history. In thirty-seven books"](https://archive.org/stream/plinysnaturalhis00plinrich/plinysnaturalhis00plinrich_djvu.txt).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mkteran_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mkteran_18-1) [Matkurja - Kraški Teran](http://www.matkurja.com/projects/wine/wines/red/kraski-teran.html), accessed 29 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ItalianMade [Vinotizie Volume 10, Number 3](http://www.italianmade.com/library/PDFs/Vinotizie200412.pdf) p. 6, December 2004.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-refoskhis_20-0)** [History of Refosco - Zgodovina refoška](http://www.rex-mk.si/kozarec/refosk-klenar/2-zgodovina.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160317081852/http://www.rex-mk.si/kozarec/refosk-klenar/2-zgodovina.html) 2016-03-17 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), in Slovene, accessed 29 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gdm_21-0)** ["Universita di Torino - Fondazione Giovanni Dalmasso"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074035/http://www.unito.it/unitoWAR/page/dipartimenti5/D046/D046_Fondazioni1). Archived from [the original](http://www.unito.it/unitoWAR/page/dipartimenti5/D046/D046_Fondazioni1) on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-06-29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mmap_22-0)** [Cartographica Neerlandica Background for Ortelius Map No. 129](http://www.orteliusmaps.com/book/ort129.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-googlebooks_23-0)** [Google Books - History of My Life, Giacomo Casanova, Willard R. Trask](https://books.google.com/books?id=PJFK_O-mFQoC&pg=PA207).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-histria_24-0)** ["History of Istria Wines"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074448/http://www.istra.com/vino/eng/pov-2.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.istra.com/vino/eng/pov-2.htm) on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-07-01.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Refosco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refosco) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refosco?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.