Refosco: the native red wine from Veneto and Friuli
The Refosco — in full Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso — is one of the oldest native grape varieties of the North-East, historically the most widespread in Friuli Venezia Giulia before the arrival of Cabernet and Merlot, and today also grown in eastern Veneto, between the Livenza and Tagliamento rivers. It takes its name from the distinctive stalk that, at ripeness, turns a bright red. On this page you will find our selection — 2 labels from 10 € to 14,50 € — with a guide to denominations, food pairings and how to serve it.
The two bottles tell the two souls of this grape variety: the simpler, more immediate one of the Pedemontana Veneta, among the hill areas of Treviso and Friuli, and the more structured one of Refosco DOC Friuli, produced in the historic zone between Udine and Pordenone. Two different interpretations of the same dark fruit and the same lively acidity that makes Refosco an everyday, versatile red.
Refosco at a glance
Our Refosco labels
The Refosco labels available on VaiGustando, from the Pedemontana Veneta to Friuli. Click on a wine for the full details and to buy.
Why it is called «dal Peduncolo Rosso»
The name is no mere flourish: at ripeness, the peduncle — the stalk that joins the berry to the shoot — takes on an intense red colour, due to the build-up of anthocyanins, and it is the trait that sets this variety apart from the others in the great Refosco family (Refosco Nostrano, di Faedis, Terrano). DNA analysis has moreover established that Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is one of the parents of Marzemino.
Its cradle is Friuli Venezia Giulia, where for centuries it was the region's most widely grown red-berried variety, before Cabernet and Merlot took hold in the nineteenth century. From there it spread also into the belt of eastern Veneto, between the Livenza and Tagliamento rivers, and into the foothill areas between Treviso and Friuli: it is in this border territory that the labels in our catalogue are born.
Where it comes from: from the Pedemontana Veneta to Friuli DOC
The two Refosco you find on VaiGustando come from two different production zones, both on the Veneto-Friuli border:
- Pedemontana Veneta (IGT) — the hill areas between Treviso and Friuli, where La Caneva dei Biasio produces its Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso IGT: vinified in steel and refined in the bottle only, for a wine that is ready and immediate.
- DOC Friuli — the historic zone between Udine and Pordenone, in particular the San Foca area, where Italo Cescon produces its Refosco DOC Friuli with ageing in oak barrels.
There is no single denomination for Refosco: depending on the zone you find it as IGT (more open, often used in Veneto) or as DOC Friuli and its sub-zones (Colli Orientali, Aquileia, Grave, Latisana), as well as in Lison-Pramaggiore and in the Carso, already beyond the boundaries of this catalogue.
Organoleptic profile: how to recognise it in the glass
In the glass the Refosco shows an intense ruby red, with violet reflections in the younger versions. On the nose it is a wine of dark fruit — blackberry and blueberry — often accompanied by notes of spice and black pepper; in the oak-aged versions shades of dark chocolate appear.
On the palate it is dry, with a marked acidic freshness that is its distinctive trait, and a tannin that is present but of a texture that is not aggressive. The typical alcohol content is 12-13% vol. It is precisely the lively acidity that makes it a versatile red at the table, able to cut through the most flavoursome dishes.
Our Refosco producers
Two wineries, two interpretations of the same grape variety:
- La Caneva dei Biasio (Cendrole, between Castelfranco and Asolo) — their Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso IGT comes from grapes of the foothill areas between Treviso and Friuli, vinified in steel and refined in the bottle. Discover the winery →
- Italo Cescon (Piave, Treviso) — wine artisans on the banks of the Piave since 1957; their Refosco DOC Friuli "Il Tralcetto" is born in the San Foca area (Pordenone) and ages 8 months in oak barrels. Discover the winery →
Food pairings: what to eat with Refosco
To understand what to drink Refosco with, it helps to start from its two dominant traits: a lively, almost cutting acidity and a tannin that is well present but of a texture that is not aggressive. This acidic backbone is its best weapon at the table, because it cleans the palate and cuts through rich preparations and fried food, keeping the mouth fresh mouthful after mouthful. The tannin, for its part, seeks proteins and succulence to stretch out over, and finds a home in meats and braised dishes. The dark fruit of blackberry and plum, together with a typical herbaceous streak, makes it a flavoursome yet medium-bodied red, more agile than opulent. For this reason it is at its best with substantial but medium-intensity dishes, without chasing the great preparations of muscular wine. The rule remains balance: the savouriness and fat of the dish against the acidity and fruit of the wine.
- Red and white meats grilled and braised
- Savoury cured meats and sausages
- First courses with ragù and meat-filled pasta
- Rustic soups of legumes and grains
- Cheeses of medium ageing
On the border between Veneto and Friuli, Refosco finds its chosen cuisine, made of bold flavours and peasant tradition. The great Friulian classic is musetto with brovada, the cotechino served with turnips fermented in grape marc: their acidity dialogues naturally with that of the wine. It also holds up well with frico of cheese and potatoes and with Veneto soppressa, fatty dishes and cured meats that the acidity of Refosco lightens. In the Piave hinterland it slides happily onto a polenta with stew or with feathered game, closing the circle with the earthy cuisine of this border belt.
In short: an everyday, versatile red, to be served young and just cool over the rich, flavoursome dishes of the Veneto-Friuli border, leaving the long-cooked stews and braises to the more structured versions.
How to serve and store Refosco
Serve Refosco at 18-20 °C, in wide glasses. For the oak-aged DOC Friuli it is worth taking it out of its storage place a day in advance, to bring it gradually up to temperature; the younger IGT drinks well even without waiting.
In the cellar, keep the bottles lying down, in the dark, at a constant temperature. Once opened, Refosco deteriorates rather quickly: it is best to finish the bottle the same day.
Ageing: a red to drink young
Refosco is not a wine for long keeping: its strength is the freshness of the fruit, which expresses itself best in the first years of life.
- Drink now (1-2 years) — the Refosco IGT by La Caneva dei Biasio, refined in the bottle only: it is at its best when the fruit is still full and crisp.
- A few years more (2-4 years) — the DOC Friuli by Italo Cescon, with 8 months in oak barrel, withstands slightly longer ageing and gains in spice.
Buying guide
Both labels in our catalogue fall within the everyday range (10-15 €): the Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso IGT by La Caneva dei Biasio at 10 € and the Refosco DOC Friuli by Italo Cescon at 14,50 €, with the greater structure given by the oak ageing explaining the difference in price.
You will find the updated prices and the buy button in the details above.
Other Veneto reds to discover
Keep exploring the Veneto reds of our catalogue: Cabernet, Pinot Nero, Amarone, Valpolicella, Ripasso, Merlot and Raboso del Piave. Or browse all the red wines.