Freisa

Freisa is a red wine grape variety from the north-eastern Italian region of Piedmont. It is responsible for two quite different types of wine, from two seperate clones. The first style, usually made from the Freisa Grossa clone, tends to be light and fruity, often made slightly frizzante and with a little residual sugar. This makes an excellent party or summer lunch wine. The second, rather more serious style of wine is made from the Freisa Piccolo clone. This style is usually fermented to dryness and is completely still, has good body, violet and raspberry fruit flavours, good tannin and acidity and is capable of ageing for up to 10 years. A very good example of this style is Giuseppe Mascarello's version called Toetto.