Rebo | Native Italian red wine grape crossing, originally named Incrocio 107-A. This was later changed to Rebo in honour of its creator, Rebo Rigotti who was working for San Michele all’Adige in Trentino at the time. Originally, Rigotti thought he had crossed Merlot with Marzemino but in fact he had crossed Merlot with Teroldego. Ian D’Agata (2014, p.547-8) describes Rebo as ‘one of Italy’s most successful crossings’.

National Registry Code No.: 301 (Ian D’Agata, 2014, p.547-8).

The grape: Conical, winged, medium-small bunches, medium-small round but not uniform berries, blue-black in colour, thick-skinned (Ian D’Agata, 2014, p.547-8).

Where grown: In northern Italy, mainly in Trentino around Calavino, Padergnone, San Michele all’Adige, and Volano under the Trentino DOC. IGT wines include Allerona, Alto Livenza, Benaco Bresciano, Costa Toscana IGP, Marca Trevigiana, Le Marco, Narni, Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio, Umbria, and Vallagarina.

Ripening: Mid-to late September (Ian D’Agata, 2014, p.547-8).

Wine styles: Very dark-hued, with flavours of red and black fruits, fresh-herb notes (Ian D’Agata, 2014, p.547-8).

Tasting note: A refreshing and not particularly tannic wine for early drinking, although oaked versions can age several years (Ian D’Agata, 2014, p.547-8).

Bibliography

Ian D’Agata, Native wine grapes of Italy (University of California Press, 2014), p.547-8.