Colorino is a red grape of Tuscany, grown mainly to give colour to Sangiovese-based wines such as Chianti, Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Its small, thick-skinned berries are very dark, and the wine is deep purple, with black fruit and soft tannins.
As the name says, Colorino was valued for its colour (colore). It was traditionally used for the governo all'uso toscano, a technique in which dried grapes were added to the new wine to start a second fermentation, making Chianti rounder and darker. Colorino is not one variety but a group: Colorino del Valdarno, Colorino di Pisa and Colorino di Lucca are the main types. It declined in the twentieth century, but many Chianti producers now value it again as a native alternative to Cabernet and Merlot.
Colorino is resistant to rot and keeps its colour well, which is also why it suited the drying needed for governo.
In a blend Colorino adds colour, fruit and a softer texture to Sangiovese. Varietal Colorino is rare: fruity, dark and best drunk within a few years.
You will usually taste Colorino as part of a Chianti Classico or Chianti. Producers that use it include Castello di Monsanto, Montevertine, Monteraponi, Rocca di Castagnoli, Castello di Fonterutoli (Mazzei), Badia a Coltibuono and Frescobaldi. Varietal Colorino is rare; Bibi Graetz is one of the few producers who give it a leading role, from old vines.
Colorino is a traditional partner of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. Read our best Chianti Classico wines, Chianti vs Chianti Classico, or browse the grape varieties index.