Gamba rossa

Gamba Rossa, literally meaning "Red Leg," is a rare and ancient red grape variety from Piedmont. Although officially registered under the name Empress of the Red Leg, it is far better known locally by its evocative synonym Gamba di Pernice, “partridge’s leg.” This unusual name derives from the bright red colour of the grape's stalks before veraison (the onset of ripening), which resemble the slender red legs of partridges, birds commonly found in vineyards during that period.

This historic vine has deep roots in the south of the Asti province, especially in the rolling hills of Calosso, and surrounding municipalities such as Costigliole d’Asti and Canelli. It miraculously survived the phylloxera epidemic that devastated European viticulture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an era when countless native grape varieties were lost forever. For decades, Gamba Rossa lingered on the brink of extinction, existing only in a few isolated vineyards, until it was rediscovered and brought back into cultivation in the early 2000s. It was officially recognised and entered into Italy’s National Register of Grapevine Varieties in 2007.

Today, Gamba Rossa is a rare treasure of Italian viticulture, producing a distinctive red wine that reflects both tradition and terroir. The wine has a medium garnet red colour, and its aromatic profile is rich and complex. On the nose, it offers intense spicy and balsamic notes, with hints of green pepper, oriental spices, and dried herbs, layered over a core of red fruit, particularly cherry and jammy plum.

On the palate, Gamba Rossa wines are dry, full-bodied, and tannic, often with a notable mineral character that adds length and structure. The spicy notes perceived on the nose return in the mouth, creating a harmonious and persistent finish. When aged, the wine develops even greater depth, making it an intriguing choice for collectors and wine lovers seeking authenticity and complexity.

Due to its rarity and the limited area of cultivation, Gamba Rossa remains a hidden gem.