Plassa

Plassa is a red grape variety originating from Italy, specifically from the Piedmont region. Its name, meaning 'hard skin,' refers to its thick-skinned berries. DNA analysis suggests it comes from a natural cross between Bottagera (False) and an unknown parent variety. Traditionally used as a table grape, Plassa is now primarily used for winemaking, especially as a blending partner to add tannins to wines made from varieties like Barbera, Neretta Cuneese, Grisa Nera, and Chatus.

Plassa wines are tannin-rich, with good ageing potential. The wines tend to be full-bodied with a deep color and are known for their robust tannins, making them ideal for blending. The variety’s thicker skin gives the wine structure and the potential for developing complex flavors as it ages.

Plassa is cultivated primarily in the province of Torino, in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. It thrives in this region due to its resistance to late frost and its ability to withstand certain diseases like downy mildew, although it is moderately sensitive to powdery mildew. It is mainly used as a minor blending variety to enhance the tannin structure in local wines.

Although historically used as a table grape, Plassa has now become a key blending component in Piedmontese wines, where its tannic profile adds depth and ageing potential.

Its thick skin and small berry size make it uniquely suited for enhancing wines that benefit from structure and longevity.