PUNCH: Piemonte's Lesser Grapes

An interesting article by MeganKrigbaum in Punch:
PiemonteLesserGrapes

on four of the lesser grapes in the Piemonte: Ruche/Freisa/Pelaverga/Grignolino. These varieties should, of course, be planted all up&down the coast of Calif.
Since the Piemontese are now making $$'s hand over fist off their Nebbiolo-based Barolo/Barbaresco, they can now afford to look at some of these grapes as part of their cultural heritage.

I was first introduced to Freisa/Ruche when DarrellCorti brought in a big shipment of the Scarpa wines in the mid-'70's.

The Heitz Grignolino has always been a favorite. It was originally from this small plot in front of his tasting room, as I recall. Assume that vnyd is now gone. I remember back in the early '90's (by crackey) when the Heitz Cabs were no longer the bees-knees (Kansas colloquialism for "hot-$hit") and ole Joe had to actually start marketing his wine, he was pouring up at the Aspen Food&Wine Festival. At his pouring table, people were kinda blowing ole Joe off, so I wandered over to chat. Joe was a pretty cranky ole curmudgeon, not much given to small talk. I tasted his Chard and Cabernet, they were OK, just that. I then commented "What I really like is your Grignolino". He raised his index finger to me, reached down under the table & opened a btl of it. Never, of course, cracking a grin. I took a sip and then commented to Joe.."I really like the eucalyptus your Grignolino shows". Finally, ole Joe cracked this big smile and gave out a big laugh. Several yrs later at my last Aspen F&W Festival, he saw me wandering in the tasting tent, motioned me over, now w/ a smile, and gave me a pour of his Grignolino. Several other chi-chi Aspenites at his pouring table ask for a pour, liked it, and complimented him on it. Ole Joe just beamed. End of story.

There is one glaring omission... she forgot about Brachetto...another lesser that can make some fun, if frivolous, wines.

Tom

not to mention Timorasso, and Favorita!

Thanks for this, Tom! I'd never had a Ruché until a few years back when I was on sabbatical, away from my own cellar and therefore dependent on a local retailer's stock. Fell in love with the Crivelli bottling, I think it was the 2010 vintage, and it became one of my house reds for most of that year. I've had a couple of others in Chicago since then, neither as compelling. Just discovered Freisa this year, via Vajra. (Say that ten times fast.) Great stuff....

I like Freisa a lot (the Vajra Kye is interesting/good, but pretty atypical for Freisa I think). Bartolo Mascarello probably makes my fave.

My only Pelaverga is the version from Burlotto, but I like that a lot.

I don't think I've had a CA Freisa, Pelaverga or Ruche, but like Heitz's take on Grignolino.

I like Freisa a lot (the Vajra Kye is interesting/good, but pretty atypical for Freisa I think). Bartolo Mascarello probably makes my fave.

My only Pelaverga is the version from Burlotto, but I like that a lot.

I don't think I've had a CA Freisa, Pelaverga or Ruche, but like Heitz's take on Grignolino.

Well, Dale...to my knowledge...no Pelaverga or Ruche planted in Calif. RandallGrahm once had Freisa
planted in his Soledad vnyd and made a delicious frizzante from it. But he pulled the Freisa...alas.
Freisa is available, though, from FPS in Davis.
Tom