Variety
RedFreisa
Nebbiolo's wild cousin – raspberry scent, brisk acidity, grippy tannin; traditionally lightly sparkling, today also seriously dry.
Portrait
Freisa is an old red variety of Piemont grown mainly in the Monferrato, the Asti area and the province of Turin. It is documented since the Middle Ages and genetically related to Nebbiolo: DNA studies show Nebbiolo to be a parent of Freisa. Appellations include Freisa d'Asti and Freisa di Chieri.
The vine buds early, ripens late and needs good south-facing sites, as it carries high acidity and tannin. The wines are light red, with raspberry, strawberry and rose, with marked acidity and firm tannin. Dry, sweet and lightly sparkling versions exist.
Freisa goes with salami, pasta, risotto and pork and is mostly drunk young.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Freisa
These 5 aromas typically define Freisa. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Raspberry
Strawberry
Rose
Herbs
Earth
Freisa aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Freisa. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Herbal aromas can be finely aromatic (sage) or grassy – a stylistic feature in some varieties, ripeness indicator in others.
Tertiary aromas that develop with bottle aging – typical of mature top wines.
Key regions
Freisa is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Freisa
10 curated profiles in our atlas grow Freisa.
10 wineries
Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio
Barolo · Monchiero
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Aldo Conterno
Barolo · Monforte d'Alba
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Chardonnay
Comm. G.B. Burlotto
Barolo · Verduno
Nebbiolo, Pelaverga, Barbera
Cavallotto
Barolo · Castiglione Falletto
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Brezza
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Francesco Rinaldi e Figli
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
G.D. Vajra
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto