RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

History: Boschera vine is a native and little known varietal grown in and around the Vittorio Veneto area, in the northern part of the province of Treviso, at the foot of the Venetian Pre Alps.

It is a white grape variety that was once also known as the “uva del prete” (Priest’s grape). It has a rather compact bunch with medium sized grapes with thick, firm skin, yellow-green in color tending towards golden when ripe.

 Historically Boschera has a spreading habit and was cultivated close to the woods, in the vineyards that were considered to be at a high altitude. It would have been for this reason that it has taken the name “boschera”. – (Bosco – woods or forest). Long considered a minor grape variety, it has experienced renewed appreciation in recent decades thanks to the revival of Torchiato and the growing attention paid to native Veneto varieties. In the early 2000s, thanks to some young winemakers, work began to reintroduce it as a monovarietal.

Officially registered in the National Catalogue of Vine Varieties in October 1992, Boschera is vigorous and shows good resistance to rain and tolerance to the main fungal pathogens including resistance to botrytis, but can be sensitive to powdery mildew in persistently humid conditions.

It produces regularly and tends to maintain natural high acidity levels even in hot years. The robust skins protect it during the prolonged ripening and wilting phases as a dried product around Easter - in fact it is left to dry on racks together with the Glera and Verdiso varieties to then make the highly distinctive passito wine Torchiato di Fregona (right click to translate), where it imparts freshness, longevity, and a fine aromatic texture, a valuable element for the balance of dessert wines.

Some producers add small quantities of Boschera to make Prosecco and sparkling white wines, which are both refermented in the bottle (known as colfondo). As the production of the Boschera variety is very scarce, between 6 and 7 hectares currently available, very few producers are experimenting with the pure vinification of this grape producing a straw-yellow wine that is very fruity and fresh.

As the vine in fact produces a small amount of grapes, it is precisely for this reason that many winemakers in the area have chosen to replace it, despite its positive attributes, with other vines, especially the Glera (the main varietal used to make Prosecco) which is a monoculture in the wine landscape. Sources: (https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/boschera-grape/) ; (https://www.quattrocalici.it/)

VIVC: https://vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=1576

Parentage: Vulpea & ?

Tasting notes:

In the rare cases in which it is vinified alone or in a dry blend, Boschera produces wines with a pale straw yellow color, with delicate aromas of white flowers, green apple, wild herbs and light citrus notes.         On the palate it is fresh, light, with a sharp acidity and a thin body.    

In the Torchiato di Fregona however, the Boschera shows its best side: the wines are golden, intense, with aromas of dried fruit, hazelnut, chestnut honey, sweet spices and a balsamic and mineral undertone.

On the palate, they are concentrated, but always balanced by a vibrant acidity that supports their longevity and avoids cloying. Source: (https://www.quattrocalici.it/);

Food Pairings: Dry & Sparkling Boschera - Venetian Cicchetti & Seafood, Shellfish & Fish, Vegetable Dishes such as Spring vegetable risottos, pasta alla primavera, or artichoke bruschetta.

Mild, soft, Sweet Passito (Torchiato di Fregona) – Creamy cheeses - Blue and Aged Cheeses, Pastries & Desserts such as Almond tarts, fruit-based pastries, or dry nut-based Italian biscuits.

Production areas: Colli di Conegliano DOCG, Torchiato di Fregona DOCG subzone, Colli Trevigiani IGT

Producers: (https://www.autoctovino.com/grape/boschera-slow-food/)

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