Colorino

Colorino was first documented in the 17th century and has been native to the Tuscan provinces of Arezzo, Florence, and Siena for centuries. Beyond wine, its vivid pigment made it valuable as a natural dye for fabrics during the medieval period. The grape played a supporting role in traditional Chianti blends and in the governo winemaking technique, where dried grapes are added to referment finished wine. A sharp decline followed in the mid-20th century as international varieties gained favor, though a brief resurgence occurred in the late 1980s when producers noted its similarities to Petit Verdot. Today, Colorino is at the center of a broader revival of indigenous Tuscan grapes.

• First documented in the 17th century in Tuscany
• Used as a natural fabric dye in medieval Italy due to its vivid pigment
• Declined mid-20th century with the rise of international varieties
• Compared to Petit Verdot during its late 1980s resurgence

Colorino thrives in the Mediterranean climate of Tuscany, requiring ample heat and sunlight to ripen fully. It grows best in clay-limestone and galestro soils, the same rocky, well-draining terrain that defines many of Tuscany's great wine zones. The variety is low-vigor but delivers medium-high and consistent yields. Its thick skins make it naturally disease resistant, a practical advantage in humid growing seasons. As a mid-to-late ripener, harvest falls in the first fifteen days of September. Beyond Tuscany, plantings exist in Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, and Liguria.

• Grows in clay-limestone and galestro soils across Tuscany
• Requires Mediterranean heat and sunlight for full ripeness
• Thick skins provide disease resistance and concentrated phenolics
• Harvested in the first fifteen days of September

Colorino produces wines of deep ruby-purple color with aromas and flavors of blackberry and plum backed by earthy undertones. Tannins are high and structure is firm, while acidity sits on the lower end. These characteristics historically made it a natural blending partner for lighter-colored Tuscan reds, added at 5-10% to boost color and body in Chianti blends. As a single-varietal wine, it carries genuine aging potential, with quality examples capable of developing over five to fifteen years in bottle.

• Deep ruby-purple color with blackberry, plum, and earthy character
• High tannins and low acidity define the structural profile
• Single-varietal wines can age five to fifteen years
• Traditionally blended in Chianti at 5-10% as a coloring agent

Colorino holds the status of principal variety in three Italian DOCs: Montecarlo DOC, Rosso Orvietano DOC, and Lago di Corbara DOC. Its most familiar historical context is as a permitted blending grape in Chianti and Chianti Classico. Single-varietal expressions, while still rare, are typically bottled under the IGT Toscana designation, giving producers the flexibility to showcase the grape outside the stricter DOC blending rules. The variety was recently granted official recognition by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

• Principal variety in Montecarlo DOC, Rosso Orvietano DOC, and Lago di Corbara DOC
• Permitted blending grape in Chianti and Chianti Classico
• Single-varietal wines bottled under IGT Toscana designation
• Recognized as an official variety by the US TTB