Refosco is one of the oldest Italian grape varieties and was already mentioned on the occasion of a banquet in honor of Pope Gregory VII in 1409. However, since the name Refosco was used for different grape varieties in different regions of Italy until the 19th century, it is not certain that it was actually the actual Refosco. The full name of the variety is Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, under which name it was first mentioned around 1870. The late-ripening variety is particularly widespread in northeastern Italy, especially on the Kaarst-Plataeu on the Italian-Slovenian border. Genetically, the Refosco is a descendant of the Marzemino and therefore also has family ties to the Teroldego, Corvina Veronese and Rondinella. Although susceptible to powdery mildew, it is otherwise fairly resistant to rot, so even autumn rain causes little damage to Refosco plants. Refosco is usually made as a pure variety; in a few cases, individual producers also experiment with barriques. Its main distribution areas are the Veneto and Friuli as well as the part of Slovenia bordering Italy. How large the areas in Slovenia really are must first be determined by a detailed examination of all the grape varieties known as Refosco there. There are no known significant cultivated areas outside of Italy and Slovenia.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Dolcedo Blau, Drobni Rifoshk, Malvoise, Grosse Syrah, Peteljcice, Refosc dal Pecol Rosso, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Refosco di Faedis, Refosco Nostrano, Refosco Grosso, Refosk, Refošk, Refosko crni, Terrano, Teran, Teran Crvene, Teran Crvene Peteljcice
