Grape Variety: Aleatico

Colour: Red

Aleatico is posited by many sources to be a red mutation of Muscat a Petit Grains as the wines made from this grape tend to have a pronounced floral perfume. However, texturally and qualitatively, Aleatico is a distinctive variety with dark skin.

It is grown in Pugia and Latium and also in Tuscany and Umbria. Jancis Robinson notes that the Aleaticondi Portoferraio is a “cult wines for Italain oenophiles”. It makes fragrant natural and fortified versions. Sometimes the grapes are dried before the fermentation to give a raisiny character to the wine.

Aleatico Maremma Toscana from Massa Vecchia is from Elba and a superb example of a fortified red wine. Yes, it is pruney and rich, but that is tempered by a beautiful grapey freshness. As you nibble the wine you may wish to nibble some pecorino.