Albarossa

Albarossa is a relatively unknown but promising red grape variety from Piedmont, Italy, created in 1938 by Professor Giovanni Dalmasso. His goal was to combine the best qualities of two of Piedmont’s iconic grapes, Nebbiolo and Barbera, into a single, superior variety. The resulting hybrid, initially called Incrocio Dalmasso XV/31, became known as Albarossa.

For many years, Albarossa was believed to be the offspring of Nebbiolo. However, DNA testing later revealed a surprising twist: the grape’s true "father" is not Nebbiolo, but Chatus, also known as Nebbiolo di Dronero, a lesser-known Alpine grape native to France and northwestern Italy. While not as noble as Nebbiolo, Chatus brings its own unique attributes to the hybrid.

Following decades of experimentation, Albarossa was officially registered in 2001 as a permitted grape variety for cultivation in the Asti, Alessandria, and Cuneo provinces of Piedmont. The variety quickly attracted interest from winemakers, including some prominent names,thanks to its impressive structure, aging potential, and ability to thrive in local terroirs.

The Albarossa grapes has a small, ellipsoidal, black berry with a waxy, thin skin, red-violet in color. Its bunch is medium-sized, pyramidal, winged, and moderately compact and medium, pentagonal, five-lobed leaf. The grape prefers dry, calcareous hills soil rich in microelements

Albarossa wines are typically intense ruby red in color, with a vinous aroma accented by spicy notes and red fruits, particularly cherry. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, vibrant, and well-suited to aging, often improving over time to reveal complexity and depth.