From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"Tintiglia" redirects here. For the Sardinian wine grape also known as Tintiglia, see Bovale.
"Abrostine" redirects here. For the Tuscan wine grape that shares this and other synonyms with Colorino, see Abrusco.
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skin Noir
Species Vitis vinifera
Also called see list of synonyms
Origin Italy
Colorino is most noted for the minor role it has played in Chianti blends.

Colorino is a red Italian wine grape variety planted primarily in Tuscany. The grape is known for its deep dark coloring and is used primarily as a coloring agent in red blends.[1] In the history of Chianti it played a minor role, mostly for its affinity and use to the governo winemaking technique. Like Canaiolo, Colorino did not rot easily while going through the partial drying process to later be added to the fermenting grape must. However the grape did not provide the same level of fruit and softening effect that Canaiolo did and fell out of favor. In the late 1980s, there was a surge of interest in the variety among Tuscan winemakers who saw in this local grape variety similarity to the role Petit Verdot plays in Bordeaux blends. Colorino was planted and used to add darker colors and structure from phenolic compounds in the grape's thick skin without the overpowering aromatics that Cabernet Sauvignon could add. This enthusiasm was short lived and by the turn of the 21st century Colorino returned once again to a minor role in Tuscan wines.[2]

Wine regions[edit]

In addition to Tuscany, the grape is also found in the Umbria region of Central Italy. It is a principle grape variety in the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines of Montecarlo in Tuscany as well as Rosso Orvietano and Lago di Corbara in Umbria.[3]


Colorino is known under a variety of synonyms throughout Italy. These include Abrostine, Abrostino, Abrostolo Dolce, Abrustano Nero, Broustina Rose, Colore, Colorino di Lucca, Colorino di Valdarno, Colorino Pisano, Jomarello, Lambrusco, Raversusto and Tintiglia Ii.[4]


  1. ^ J. Robinson Jancis Robinson's Wine Course Third Edition pg 137 Abbeville Press 2003 ISBN 0-7892-0883-0
  2. ^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 188 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  3. ^ Wine Grape Profiles "Colorino" Accessed: May 6th, 2009
  4. ^ "Colorino". Vitis International Variety Catalogue. Retrieved 2010-01-30.