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Colorino

Colorino is a red Italian wine grape variety, planted mainly in Tuscany. The grape is known for its deep, dark colouration and it is used primarily as a colouring agent in red blends. In the history of Chianti it played a minor role, mostly for its affinity with the Governo winemaking technique. Like Canaiolo, Colorino did not rot easily while going through the partial drying process to later be added to the fermenting grape must. However, Colorino did not provide the same level of fruit and softening effect that Canaiolo did and fell out of favour.

In the late 1980s, there was a surge of interest in the variety among Tuscan winemakers who saw the possibility of this local grape variety playing a similar role to that played by Petit Verdot in Bordeaux blends. Colorino was planted and used to add darker colours and structure from phenolic compounds in the grape's thick skin without the overpowering aromatics that Cabernet Sauvignon could add. However, this enthusiasm was short lived and by the turn of the 21st century Colorino returned once again to a minor role in Tuscan wines.