Marzemino is an Italian red wine grape variety mainly grown in the Northern region of Trentino-Alto-Adige.
It is also sporadically found in Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli, and Emilia-Romagna.
Origin & History:
The origin of the grape is uncertain. In fact, the name Marzemino has been used in many different regions in reference to slightly different species, while regional synonyms like Bassamino, Barzemin Berzamino, Berzemino, Marzemina, Capolico or Uva Tedesca (German grape) actually correspond to the same or very similar grape. A wine called “Marzemino di Bassano del Grappa” was reported upon in Germany in the 1600s.
The grape is even said to have been once cultivated as far South as the Chianti area.
A certain fame for the grape came a mention in the famous Mozart opera: Don Giovanni.
Marzemino Wines:
Vinified by itself like it often is in the Trentino region and the Trento DOC, particularly around the town of Isera, Marzemino wines typically showcase a deep dark color and aromas of violet and plum.
The most famous use of the Marzemino grape is for making the Refontolo Passito wine in the Cogliano area: a sweet red wine made by drying the bunches on mats before fermentation to concentrate sugars and flavors.
In Emilia-Romagna and the Veneto, Marzemino is used to produce slightly sparkling, off-dry or sweet wines.
The grape is also an allowed blending element in many regions of Northern Italy like Garda, Bardolino, Colli di Conegliano, Breganze, Botticino, and the various appellations of Trentino: Canossa, Reggiano or Melara.
See our tasting notes of an unusual Marzemino wine produced in New Zealand: Church Road Mc Donald Series Marzemino, Hawke’s Bay
To get a taste of the grape, and the wine, popular Marzemino wines, some of them available internationally include (follow link to find on Wine-Searcher):
- Maculan Madoro Vino Dolce, Veneto IGT
- De Stefani ‘Stefen 1624’, Veneto IGT
- Costaripa ‘Mazane’ Marzemino Garda, Lombardy
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