Famous Italian Grapes: Colorino
Italy is overflowing with unique grape varieties, with something new to always learn. One of those rare special grapes is Colorino, which you definitely had before but just didn’t know it. One of the key components of producing a traditional Chianti Classico wine, Colorino has a fascinating history and identity. And, it even tastes fabulous vinified all by itself.
Let’s learn all about the Colorino grape!
Colorino is a very Tuscan grape
Though Colorino’s specific origins are still a little unclear, there’s nearly no doubt that the grape is Tuscan in origin. Its earliest documentation places it in the provinces of Arezzo, Firenze, and Siena. In fact, Colorino is also known as Colorino del Valdarno – referring to the grape’s origin in the Valdarno, a beautiful valley resting between Florence and Arezzo.
Today, Colorino can be found in other Italian regions like Lazio and Liguria, though it is most popularly grown in Tuscany in its famous Chianti wine area.
Colorino has a name you’ll remember
It’s pretty straightforward – the name ‘Colorino’ most likely comes from the Italian word colorare, meaning “to color.” Where does this name come from? Colorino’s dark grape skins add a robust color to wines, particularly Chianti wines where they are blended with Sangiovese.
Colorino nearly went extinct
In the mid-20th century, the use of Colorino declined. The preference for international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot took over – causing many wine producers to get rid of their Colorino vines.
Fortunately, in the last 20 years, there’s been a return to traditional winemaking in Tuscany, especially the Chianti wine region. Many wineries aspire to produce Chianti how it was done by farmers traditionally – meaning utilizing indigenous grapes only. This gave Colorino new life and saved it from extinction, and it is only known in history books.
You’ve probably tasted Colorino before
Colorino is not commonly found in monovarietal form, or made into a wine by itself. Historically, Colorino has been used as a blending grape, particularly in Chianti wines as mentioned before. Colorino’s deep, dark color and high tannin content made it ideal for enhancing the structure and appearance of these wines. Colorino’s skins also do more than color the wine – their sturdy skins make them a winemaker’s best friend in the vineyard. The thick skins make Colorino a disease-resistant variety and also an adaptable one – acclimating to Tuscany’s variable weather and soil types.
Colorino on its own
Recently, winemakers began experimenting more with vinifying Colorino on their own – showcasing the grape’s unique qualities. In this way, Tuscany’s rich viticultural heritage is preserved, including its dazzling local grape varieties. Slowly but surely these wines are gaining more attention on the international market, grasping the curiosities of wine enthusiasts.
Wines made from Colorino are distinctly deep in color, with an inky appearance that is often a shade of dark purple. In the glass, these wines express a character defined by dark fruits like blackberries and plums with a clear structure, defined by pronounced tannins.
A grape that travels
Colorino’s increase in popularity has led it to travel outside of its Tuscan borders, and beyond. Today, you can find Colorino planted in other parts of the world – like California.
California recognizes Colorino as an official wine grape
Thanks to the work of the Domenico Winery team, Colorino is now recognized as an official grape by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). This means wineries can safely plant Colorino without facing fines or having to rip out vines. We are quite excited to see all the California Colorino to come.
If you’re curious to try it – Domenico Winery just released this first bottle: 2019 Colorino, now available for purchase!
Colorino represents a long winemaking history filled with very special traditions. It is essential to produce many of our favorite Tuscan wines, and seeing it in monovarietal form means the future is only getting brighter for Colorino. It is a wine that is lesser known but still full of flavor and potential.
Don’t miss this fun idea!
Why not try a Colorino from Tuscany and one from California? This tasting will let you explore the different expressions of Colorino, while also enhancing your palate and knowledge about wine!
