Bastianich Vespa Rosso

Bastianich Vespa Rosso is a red blend from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, bottled at 13.0% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 94 points from Wine Advocate (Monica Larner), this Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC wine stands apart by marrying international Merlot with the indigenous Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso—a bold statement from a region far better known for its whites.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.0%  |  Origin: Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy  |  Red Blend  |  Producer: Bastianich Winery

Production & Heritage

Bastianich Winery sits in the hills of Colli Orientali del Friuli, a DOC in northeastern Italy prized primarily for single-varietal white wines. Vespa Rosso deliberately shifts the focus from individual grapes to terroir-driven blending. The cuvée centers on Merlot (roughly 50%) alongside Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (approximately 30%), with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc rounding out the blend. Each grape variety and vineyard parcel is fermented separately in stainless steel tanks for 15 to 18 days, then aged individually in French oak barriques—30% new, 70% used—for 18 months before the final assemblage. The name "Vespa" references the wasps drawn to the estate's ripe grapes at harvest time.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright and perfumed, the nose opens with ripe cherry and blackberry before layering in dried herbs, baking spice, and a subtle smoky quality. A thread of campfire ash and balsamico adds savory depth.

Taste: The entry is generous with steeped black cherry and dark berry fruit, framed by medium-to-full body. At mid-palate, flavors of baker's chocolate, green olive, and citrus peel emerge, giving the wine a savory, Mediterranean character. Despite its power, there is a striking lightness on its feet—a tension between richness and freshness that keeps the palate engaged.

Finish: Long, fleshy, and savory, with lingering notes of dark spice and a fine-grained tannic grip. The fruit echoes through the close without turning heavy, leaving an impression of balance rather than brute force.

How to Drink Vespa Rosso

This wine is best served at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and benefits from 30 minutes of decanting to let its layered aromas fully expand. A large Bordeaux-style glass helps concentrate the perfumed nose. Vespa Rosso is primarily a food wine and a contemplative sipper, though its savory profile adapts well in wine-based cocktails: a Kalimotxo riff using this wine adds real complexity to the cola-and-red formula; a classic Sangria built on Vespa Rosso brings dark-fruit depth and spice that cheaper reds lack; and a New York Sour topped with this blend introduces smoky, herbal notes that elevate the whiskey base.

Best For

• Italian dinner parties featuring braised meats or hearty pastas
• Gifting to a wine enthusiast exploring Friuli beyond whites
• Building a cellar of critically acclaimed Italian reds outside Tuscany and Piedmont
• Pairing nights centered on charcuterie and aged cheeses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vespa Rosso taste like? Vespa Rosso delivers ripe black cherry, baker's chocolate, and savory green olive flavors supported by French oak spice and a fleshy, long finish. It balances power and freshness in a way that feels distinctly northeastern Italian.

How does Vespa Rosso compare to Super Tuscan blends? Both categories blend international and Italian varieties, but Vespa Rosso's inclusion of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and its Friulian terroir give it a more herbal, savory character than the riper, Sangiovese-driven profile typical of Super Tuscans. It also tends to sit at a more approachable price tier than top-label Super Tuscans while still earning scores of 93–94 points from major critics.

Is Vespa Rosso good for sipping neat? Yes—its layered aromatics, moderate 13.0% ABV, and long savory finish make it a rewarding wine to drink on its own, especially after a brief decant to open up the oak and fruit integration.

Where is Vespa Rosso made? Vespa Rosso is produced by Bastianich Winery in the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, near the border with Slovenia.

What foods pair well with Vespa Rosso? Braised short ribs complement the wine's dark fruit and oak tannins. Aged Montasio cheese from Friuli mirrors the regional character. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle matches the savory, herbal mid-palate. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary echo the wine's spice and smoke. A simple antipasto of sopressata and olives highlights its balsamico and green olive notes.

What sizes does Vespa Rosso come in? Bastianich Vespa Rosso is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Vespa Rosso worth the price? Vespa Rosso positions as a mid-premium Italian red, and with 94 points from Wine Advocate along with 93-point scores from both Vinous and James Suckling, it delivers critical acclaim that often exceeds its price tier. For drinkers seeking complex, terroir-driven Italian reds outside the Tuscan mainstream, it represents strong value.

Why Vespa Rosso?

In a DOC celebrated almost exclusively for white wines, Vespa Rosso makes a compelling case for Friulian reds. The decision to ferment and age each grape variety and vineyard parcel separately before blending produces a wine of unusual precision—each component contributes a distinct layer rather than blurring into a generic whole. A 94-point rating from Wine Advocate and 93 points each from Vinous and James Suckling confirm that the approach works at a high level. For anyone looking beyond Barolo and Brunello for serious Italian reds with genuine regional identity, Vespa Rosso belongs on the short list.