Albarossa

Albarossa is a red Italian wine grape variety that is grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. The grape was created in 1938 by Giovanni Dalmasso, one of Italy's most prominent ampelographers, during a time when the Italian government was encouraging grape breeders to develop new varieties that could blend with and improve the quality of Italy's vast assortment of indigenous grape varieties.

History

The Albarossa grape was created by crossing the Nebbiolo and Barbera grape varieties. The intention was to combine the best qualities of the two parents: the structure and aging potential of Nebbiolo with the ample fruit of Barbera. However, the resulting grape variety has shown itself to be distinct from both of its parents, offering a unique set of flavors and structure.

Viticulture

Albarossa is a late-ripening grape that tends to produce best in vineyards with a southern exposure. The grape has a natural resistance to many viticultural hazards such as downy and powdery mildew.

Wine regions

While Albarossa was bred to be used throughout Italy, today it is almost exclusively found in Piedmont. Here it is used in several Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines including Monferrato and Langhe.

Styles

Albarossa wines are typically deep in color with full body and high tannin levels. The wines often have a bouquet of dark fruits and a finish that can sometimes have a bitter almond note. While the grape can produce a varietal wine, it is often blended with other Piedmontese grape varieties such as Barbera and Nebbiolo.

Food pairing

Due to its high tannin levels and full body, Albarossa wines pair well with rich meat dishes, hearty pastas, and strong cheeses.

See also

• List of Italian grape varieties
• Italian wine