RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

La Quaiara, a nearly forgotten black grape variety primarily cultivated in the province of Verona, is considered synonymous with Pelara or Dindarella. Documented as early as 1933 by F. De Leonardis in Valpolicella and Bardolino, it was later mentioned by Montanari and Ceccarelli in 1950 as being grown in the Squaranto and Mezzane valleys, though not recommended for further use. In the 1970s, efforts to recover Quaiara were initiated by the Verona Agricultural Inspectorate and the Experimental Viticulture Institute of Conegliano, planting it in catalog fields and experimental vineyards. GRASPO’s recent research uncovered its intriguing connection to the Austro-Balkan variety Vulpea, sparking new interest. Today, vines identified as Quaiara are cultivated at Giovanni Montresor’s historic estate, Corte Quaiara, with plans to revive its enological legacy through ongoing experimentation and collaboration. (GRASPO)