Rossese

Rossese is a red grape variety from the Italian region of Liguria. In the far west of Liguria there are in and around Dolce Acqua its own DOC area for the variety, the Rossese Dolce Acqua. The ampelographers Dalmassoo and Mariano still distinguish the Rossese of Albenga and those of Dolce Acqua.

Rossese is also known under the name Rosseis and Roxeise. The low-yield but high-quality variety is known since the 16th century and probably originated in France and could be related to the grape variety Tibouren. Rossese is a variety of the noble vine (Vitis vinifera ). It has hermaphrodite flowers and is thus self- fruiting. When the wine-growing economic drawback is avoided, no return delivered to male plants need to grow.

In Liguria there is also a white variety Rossese Bianco (synonyms: Rossese D' Albenga, Bianco di Nizza ).

See also the article Viticulture in Italy and the list of grape varieties.

Ampelographic varietal characteristics

In the ampelography the habit is described as follows:

• The green shoot tip is open. The yellowish, slightly bronzed ( anthocyanin ) Young leaves are barely pubescent.
• The large leaves ( see also the article sheet form) are indented five lobes and strong. The petiole lyres -shaped closed. The leaf margin is finely serrated. The teeth are small in comparison with the varieties.
• The cylindrical to conical grape is medium sized and moderately dichtbeerig. The roundish or slightly oval berries are small to medium in size, ranging from red to blue-black color. The berries are juicy; the juice is colorless.

The vine cast out relatively early. Rossese is robust against late spring frosts and powdery mildew.

Rossese matures about 10 days after Chasselas making it one of the early ripening red grape varieties.

Synonyms

Rossese is also known under the synonyms Rosseis, Rossese di Ventimiglia, Rossese Dolce Acqua, Rossese Nero, Rossese Rossa and Roxeise.