Glossary of Italian Grapes
Uve Bianche - White Grapes
Greco di Tufo
Greco's origins are certainly Greek. This famous white grape is capable of producing high quality wines with fruity flavors, hints of smoke and toasted nuts.
Falanghina
A very old varietal grown today on the shores of Campania, south of Naples. It is thought to be a key component in the ancient wine Falernum. This white grape produces fresh and lively white wines with aromas and flavors of green apples and citrus fruits.
Palagrello Bianco
A beautiful white from Campania. The renaissance of a white grape from the days of the Bourbon family with notes of white peaches and zesty citrus fruit. A very aromatic grape perfect for seafood pairings. Very refreshing!
Fiano di Avellino
Dry white wines indigenous to southern Italy. This DOC zone is located in the hills surrounding Naples in Campania.
Tocai Friulano
A white varietal indigenous to the Friuli region. Unique wines with a distinctive floral scent and hints of honey. Not related to Tokay from Hungary. This varietal is also known as Sauvignonaisse.
Sylvaner
The correct name for this white grape is Gruener Sylvaner. This subtle grape from Trentino-Alto Adige in Northern Italy produces light, soft wines and gentle acidity and apple flavors.
Trebbiano
A Roman varietal that probably is made into more white wine than any other grape in the world. Abruzzi, Toscana and Veneto all produce notable wines from this grape.
Vermentino
Also known as the "sea grape," it is a late-ripening white grape widely planted in Sardinia, Tuscany and Liguria.
Grechetto
A white wine grape grown primarily in the Umbria region. This grape serves as a blend in Orvieto whites. Grechetto has delightful rich, nutty character and crisp finish.
Garganega
Is one of the grapes of the Soave Classico. Romans planted these vines in the river banks of the Veneto region.
Grillo
Also known as Riddu, this white varietal is widely planted in Sicilia. Grillo's dry white wines are blended with Inzolia and Cattarato grapes when making Marsala wines.
Malvasia
Grown by the ancient Romans in the Mediterranean basin, this white grape has existed for about 2,000 years. Malvasia can also be called Nera, Del Chianti, Del Lazio, Delle Lipari, Di Candia, Di Sardegna and Friulana.
Prosecco
A white grape from Veneto region, famous for producing sparkling wines in Valdobbiadenne and Conegliano, home of a famous university for wine studies. Citrusy, dry and crisp, a perfect everyday sparkler!
Muscat(o)
Moscato D'Asti is a naturally light frizzante variety of Muscat made from the Moscato Canelli grape of the Piemonte region. The island of Lipari and Pantelleria are also known for fine dessert wines made from Muscat grapes.
Kerner
Is a white grape varietal developed from a cross between Riesling and Schiava rossa grapes in Trentino- Alto Adige. Kerner is also grown throughout Austria and Germany. A very aromatic, fun, light, crisp wine.
Arneis
White grape that originated in the Roero hills in southern Piemonte Once nearly extinct, Arneis has made a comeback in recent years. Great white wines with floral, jasmine aromas, flavors of apples, pears, and a hint of licorice. Also known as Roero Arneis in Roero town..
Pinot Grigio
Thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir grape, Pinot Grigio generally features slight, delicate honeysuckle aromas with light, fruity middle concentration and smooth dry finish. Skin colors range from grey/blue (as a strain of the Pinot Gris varietal) to brownish red.
Pinot Bianco
Thought to have originated in the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Bianco's straw-yellow color and aromas of green almonds give a complexity that has found the perfect home, primarily in Italy's northeastern regions. Wines generally have crisp aromas and medium, dry body.
Uve Rosse - Red Grapes
Brachetto D'Aqui
This is a red grape grown in Piemonte. It is often used in the production of frizzante (spritzy) dessert wines.
Aglianico
A red grape from the Basilicata & Campania regions. The name is a corruption of 'Ellenico', an Italian adjective meaning 'Greek'. These wines tend to be full bodied with firm tannins and high acidity. Is also called the Barolo of the south.
Sagrantino
An indigenous grape varietal from the Umbria region, Central Italy. The grape is one of the most tannic varietals in the world, and creates wines that are inky, deep purple and full bodied.
Nebbiolo
Famous in Piemonte for the production of Ghemme, Gattinara, Barbaresco and Barolo. A lightly colored red wine that can be massively tannic in their youth with intriguing scents of tar and roses. Ages nicely.
Primitivo
A fruit forward and spicy flavored red wine, which is an ancestor of Zinfandel. The origin of the name Primitivo is unknown.
Nero D'Avola
The most important red wine grape in Sicily and one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties. Named after "Avola" in the south of Sicily and its wines are compared to New World Shiraze, with sweet tannins, plum and peppery flavors.
Carignano
Transplanted from Spain, (Carignan) to the Sulcis area in Sardinia. Sulcis is one of the famous DOC's on the Island. Old vines with lower yields that can produce good wines with impressive structure, medium bodied, and gentle acidity .
Canonnau
Otherwise known as Grenache, this grape originated in Spain and then spread into France and Sardinia. Great tannin structure with currant and jammy flavors.
Ancellotta
A red grape varietal mainly grown in the Emilia Romagna area in central Italy. Part of the blend of the frizzante Lambrusco wines.
Sangiovese
A red wine grape originating in Toscana whose name derives from Sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove". This wines has fruit forward flavors of berries and spice. With barrel aging the wine takes on oaky, even tarry notes. There are 14 clones of Sangiovese throughout the world.
Dolcetto
The name means "little sweet one," although it is nearly always a dry wine. Dolcetto wines can be tannic and fruit driven with moderate levels of acidity.
Freisa
These wines are somewhat sweet and lightly sparkling. This is a red grape planted in the Piemonte region.
Lagrein
This red varietal native to Trentino, Alto Adige in the southern Tirol region near the Austrian border. Fruit forward wines with medium to full bodied textures.
Ciliegiolo
A light red varietal generally used as a blending grape with berry notes and high acidity from Toscana and Umbria.
Barbera
Piemonte's most planted red grape might have originated in the Hills of Monferrato in the Central region. Deep ruby red color wines with low tannin structures are just a couple of Barbera's characteristics.
Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Is a type of red wine grape and a type of red wine made from this grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. A very fruit forward red wine often consumed young with soft tannins and light to medium bodied textures.
Negroamaro
A native grape to southern Italy, Negroamaro is grown almost exclusively in the Puglia region. Generally deep, rich and earthy, the name derives from the Latin word " egro" for "black" and the ancient Greek "maru," meaning "bitter."