Freisa d’Asti is a DOC of the Piedmont region in north-western Italy, covering the production of red wines made from Freisa grapes grown on the hillsides around the historic wine town of Asti. The title was granted in 1972.
This wine style emerged in the 16th century, when it was well received by local consumers and commanded prices almost double that of other regional wines. Today, Freisa d'Asti wines are made in rosso (red) and superiore (slightly stronger and aged for one year before release) variations, and even spumante.
The Freisa d'Asti DOC covers only wines produced from 100% Freisa, which is believed to be a relation of Piedmont's star red variety Nebbiolo. Unlike its more hallowed relation, which accounts for just 3% of Piedmont's planting, Freisa was the most planted grape variety in the Torino province at the end of the 19th century. This was largely due to its good resistance to mildew and other vine diseases.
Since 2000, Freisa d'Asti producers have begun moving towards a more full-bodied style of wine, more in tune with modern consumer preferences. Ironically, this is being facilitated by a long-neglected traditional winemaking technique involving a second fermentation of lightly withered grapes. This technique maintains the all-important balance of acid and sugars, and increases the power of the wine without increasing the impact of the strong tannins characteristic of the Freisa variety.
Freisa d'Asti wine has a garnet-red color in its youth, developing significant bricking (a brick-red colour) with age. The aroma is characterized by floral elements such as roses and violets, with fruitier hints of raspberry also present on the palate.
