Piedirosso

Campania, Italy

Piedirosso is an ancient red grape variety native to the Campania region in southern Italy. Its name, meaning 'red feet,' refers to the red-colored stems of the vine, which resemble a dove's foot, leading to local synonyms like 'Per'e Palummo' (dove's foot). Historically, Piedirosso was widely planted in the 19th century following the phylloxera crisis but later declined in favor of other varieties. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Piedirosso, with winemakers focusing on its unique qualities, both as a single-varietal wine and as a blending partner with grapes like Aglianico.

Medium-sized, spheroid berries with thick, purplish-red skins and a waxy bloom.

Piedirosso is a vigorous vine with a drooping growth habit, preferring medium-expanded training systems and long pruning. It adapts well to various environments within Campania, particularly thriving in volcanic soils, which impart a distinctive minerality to the wines. The grape is susceptible to certain diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis, requiring careful vineyard management. Ripening occurs in early to mid-October, yielding musts with fairly high sugar levels and moderate acidity.