Classed as a teinturier (‘tintori’ in Italian) Abrostinehas ancient origins. It was first described in the 15th-century. It is also referred to as Abrostolo. One theory is it is identical to to the Abrusco variety but there is no agreement on this.

Abrostine is usually used in blends (for its colour), but is also found as a stand-alone red (unusually for teinturiers who often are called upon for colour alone). Typical “avours include vanilla, black pepper, juniper, dried prune, dark cherry, underbrush, tobacco.

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