According to a hypothesis that can no longer be verified but is unlikely, the ancient red wine Pucinum, already mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23-79), was pressed from a grape variety called Refosco ( Refoschin, Refošk, Rifòsc, Rifosco) or an ancestor. The first confirmed mention of a grape variety called Refosco was on 6 June 1409, when a document mentions a banquet in honour of Pope Gregory XII. (1335-1417) with the following wines served: Marzemino from Gradiscutta, Ramandolo from Torlano, Ribolla from Rosazzo, Verduzzo from Faedis and Refosco from Albana. Varieties under the name Refosco were subsequently often mentioned in northern Italy (especially Friuli) and Slovenia, but the identity is uncertain. It is understood to be a group of partly related mostly red grape varieties:
- Refosco Bianco (Refosc Blanc) - possibly a colour mutation of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
- Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (Peteljcice, Refosco dal Pecòl Rosso, Refosco Nostrano, Rifòsc dal Pecòl Ròss, Teran Crvene Peteljcice, etc.) - the most widespread variety
- Refosco di Faedis (Refoscone, Refosco Nostrano, Refosco di Ronchis)
- Refosco d'Istria, Refosco Terrano or Refošk in Slovenia = Terrano
- Refosco di Guarnieri (Refosco Guarnieri) = Trevisana Nera
- Refosco di Rauscedo (Refosco Gentile) - almost extinct
- Refosco del Botton (Refosco Boton) = Tazzelenghe
The two varieties Refosco di Rauscedo and Tazzelenghe (Refosco del Botton) have a parent-offspring relationship to Refosco di Faedis. Refosco varieties are mainly cultivated in the regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, as well as in Slovenia. In California, Mondeuse Noire was/is erroneously called Refosco. In 2016, stocks were reported under the name Refosco in Australia (0.1 ha), Brazil (0.4 ha), Slovenia (1,340 ha) and Switzerland (0.2 ha) - i.e. a total of 1,341 hectares of vineyards (Kym Anderson statistics). It is not clear which Refosco variety/varieties these are. The Slovenian variety is probably Terrano (Refošk).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Refosco images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso: M.I.P.A.F - National Vine Certification Service
