FREISA
Sprout: April
Flowering: June
Start of ripening/color change: August
Ripening: September
Harvest: September
Pruning system: Guyot with one fruiting cane with 12-14 buds
Freisa is an autochthonous black grape variety in Piedmont, widespread in the Monferrato of Asti and Casalese, up to the Langhe of Cuneo, the hills of Turin up to the hills of Saluzzese, Pinerolese, Canavese and Novarese. It is a rustic grape variety, ideal in this area with a lot of drought in the summer months.
Freisa has a very long history, in fact the first written records date back to the sixteenth century when a highly prized wine called Fresearum was mentioned. It was also one of the most planted grape vines in Piedmont at that time. At least two types of Freisa have been documented, the Freisa Piccola , less productive and more suitable for hilly areas, and the Freisa Grossa , more productive but of lower quality.
The Freisa has long cylindrical racemes, slightly winged, almost sparse. The grapes are oval of medium size with very leathery skins, black in color tending to blue. Freisa is a vigorous vine and has a medium yield, especially in the Grosso subtype. It has a medium maturation and is grown via the Guyot system, with extensive and long pruning. Freisa is resistant to diseases and fungi, although it is sensitive to mildew. The clayey and marly soils of Piedmont are an excellent place for Freisa. Freisa gives the wines color and a good concentration of tannin as well as full fruity aromas. The acid component and the structure make it a medium-term storage wine. Dry and slightly sparkling in the mouth, sometimes even salty. Young it is a fresh wine with liveliness and brilliance, over time the wine acquires more mature notes, with fruit in jam and some tertiary hints. There are also sweet Freisa wines. Freisa goes well with cold cuts, unprocessed red meat and mature cheeses, but it can also be served with starters that contain meat.