The red grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Encore Spannina, Fessietta, Frati, Fratina, Freisa del Piemonte, Freisa di Chieri, Freisa di Monfra, Freisa di Nizza, Freisa Grossa, Freisa Pica, Freisa Piccola, Freisetta, Freisetta de Montaldo, Fresa, Fresa Grosa, Fresa Monferrina, Frescia, Fresia, Fresia di Chieri, Fresior, Frezia, Frezija, Ghemme, Grananella, Ivanna Milanese, Marchesana, Martesana, Monferrina, Monfesia, Monfrina, Mounfrina, Munfrna and Spannina. It should not be confused with the varieties Fumin, Neretta Cuneese (Freisa Grossa) or Neretto Nostrano (Freisa Blu), despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2020, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Nebbiolo x unknown partner. A direct descendant is Malvasia Nera Lunga.
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Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena