Marzemino Guide: Learn About the Marzemino Wine Grape

Marzemino is a red wine grape variety native to northern Italy. The dark-skinned grapes are typically used to produce a ruby-red varietal wine, sometimes lightly sparkling. Marzemino plays a starring role in Colli di Conegliano, a sweet passito wine made from dried grapes. Also known as Marzemina, Bassamino, and Berzemino, the grape is closely related to Teroldego and Refosco dal Pedunculo Rosso, two other grapes native to northern Italy.

Marzemino was made famous by Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. Before descending into hell, the opera's hero cries, "Versa il vino! Eccellente Marzemino!”—"Pour the wine! The excellent Marzemino!"

Marzemino grapes are used in a variety of different styles of wine, but varietal wines made with this grape are often dry, smooth, and delicate, like a pinot noir. They have balanced acidity and tannins, with berry and floral scents, such as blackcurrant, sour cherry, and violet, as well as spicy, herbal notes.

Marzemino grapes are grown throughout northern Italy, in the Trentino-Alto Adige, Lombardia (Lombardy), Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. The largest concentration of Marzemino grapes is found in Trentino's Vallagarina Valley, home to the communes of Isera and Rovereto, where it is used to produce a varietal wine. In the Capriano del Colle and Botticino DOCs (Denomination of Controlled Origin) of Lombardia, Marzemino is typically used in blends with Barbera, Sangiovese, and Merlot.

Marzemino varietal wines pair well with smoked, roasted, and braised meats, as well as Italian favorites like pizza, polenta, and mushrooms. Try Marzemino with strong Italian cheeses, like gorgonzola.

Want to learn more about the culinary arts? The MasterClass Annual Membership provides exclusive video lessons from the world’s best chefs and wine critics, including James Suckling, Lynnette Marrero, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Gabriela Cámara, Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura, and more.