Piedirosso

Piedirosso is an ancient black-skinned grape variety found throughout Campania, Italy. It was very widely planted in the 19th Century following the phylloxera crisis, but has since suffered a decline. Today, the trend is slowly being reversed with producers returning to the grape, albeit predominantly as a blending partner for Aglianico and Olivella. The variety is seen to bring softness and complexity to wines such as Aglianico that might otherwise be too intense as a single variety. Piedirosso is also permitted as a minor blending component (less than 15 percent) in two of the four DOCGs in Campania; Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno.

Synonyms include: Palombina, Pere'e Pallummo, Per'e Palumo, Strepparossa.

Food matches for Piedirosso include:

• Polpettone in crosta (meatloaf wrapped in puff pastry)
• Grilled portobello mushrooms with mozzarella and thyme
• Cheese pizza