Freisa

Freisa is a Piedmontese red grape that can be more forceful than its floral, berry-scented first impression suggests. It has deep roots around the Asti and Turin hills and appears in several local wine designations. Compared with the region's more famous reds, its changing mixture of fruit, tannin and occasional fizz can be a surprise.

There is no single Freisa format. Bottles may be still or lightly sparkling, and some retain sweetness that changes the impression of their tannin. Other producers make fully dry wines with a serious structure. The distinction is worth checking before opening a bottle with the expectation of a soft, easy red for drinking without food.

A dry Freisa is most comfortable with something on the plate: sausage, mushrooms, a meat sauce or a substantial cheese gives its grip a useful role. A lively, lightly sparkling version can suit a less formal meal. For the first bottle, follow the producer's description of sweetness and structure rather than choosing purely by alcohol or colour.