Variety
RedGrignolino
The Monferrato's pale rebel – light red like a rosé, yet surprisingly tannic and peppery. A red wine to chill.
Portrait
Grignolino is a red variety of Piemont grown mainly in the Monferrato near Asti and Casale. The name derives from "grignòle", the Piedmontese word for seeds, of which the berries contain many. Appellations are Grignolino d'Asti and Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese.
The vine buds early, ripens mid-season and is unreliable in yield; it likes lime-rich slopes. The wines are pale, almost rosé, with distinct tannin from the many seeds but a light body. Aromas of cherry, strawberry, pepper and blossom are typical. The variety remains a niche one but carries regional identity in the Monferrato.
Grignolino goes with antipasti, charcuterie, poultry and light cooking and is 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 — Grignolino
These 4 aromas typically define Grignolino. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Strawberry
White pepper
Rose
Herbs
Grignolino aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Grignolino. 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.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Key regions
Grignolino is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Grignolino
5 curated profiles in our atlas grow Grignolino.
5 wineries
Cavallotto
Barolo · Castiglione Falletto
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Braida
Monferrato · Rocchetta Tanaro
Barbera, Grignolino, Brachetto
Azienda Agricola Accornero Vini
Monferrato · Vignale Monferrato
Barbera, Grignolino, Ruchè
Cantina Sociale Barbera dei Sei Castelli
Asti · Castelnuovo Calcea
Chardonnay, Barbera, Cortese
Casalone
Monferrato · Lu e Cuccaro Monferrato
Merlot, Barbera, Pinot Nero