RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

History: Last week I received a post on LinkedIn from José Vouillamoz, an expert in grape genetics, coauthor, with Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding, of Wine Grapes (2012) and wine writer (linkedin.com/in/vouillamoz-josé-52832039) informing his readership that the annual grapevine DNA profiling campaign is now open.

“Every year I offer DNA profiling for vineyard owners, wineries, researchers and ampelographers wishing to identify unknown or doubtful grape varieties.
Whether you have an old vineyard, suspect a forgotten local variety or simply wish to verify the identity of a grapevine, DNA profiling provides a reliable scientific answer.
🍃 Leaf samples are accepted until 30 September 2026.”
More information:
https://lnkd.in/eZrYGD7u
If you know someone who manages vineyards, grape collections or works in grapevine research, feel free to share this post.
#Viticulture #Grapevine #DNA #Ampelography #Wine #WineResearch
JancisRobinson.com Wine-Searcher Wine Food Society

As Autoctovino focuses solely on this market niche, we notified a large number of wineries that could potentially profit from this offer.

Little did I know that a pleasant surprise was forthcoming.

Gianluigi Addimanda of Cantine Fratelli Addimanda emailed, writing (translated) “We have ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines of both Aglianico di Taurasi and Roviello Bianco dating back to 1593.” To see additional details, go to the link in PRODUCERS followed by the winery’s website under the Google map.

I trust many of you are familiar with Aglianico di Taurasi but, based on our research to date there are definitely 2 wineries, and perhaps a third (awaiting confirmation) that grow and bottle Rovello Bianco as a mono-varietal wine.

Rovello Bianco was first described in Campania in 1875. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2009, there is no relationship with any of the numerous Greco varieties.

The grape variety, almost extinct, was reactivated in 2003 with the support of the Universities of Naples and Palermo in Taurasi, in the Campania province of Avellino. The grape has the unique characteristic where the skin grows disproportionately compared to the inner flesh, giving it the unmistakable appearance of soft, “Grecomusc'” grapes. This creates a solid-to-liquid ratio that is unfavorable to the latter, resulting in vinification conditions with low liquid yield. Through years of experimentation and selection, Cantina Lonardo has harnessed these traits to produce a truly unique and unmistakable wine that fully reflects the company’s production philosophy, focused on wines that express the territory and production personality to the fullest.

Sources: (https://glossario.wein.plus/roviello-bianco-2) & (https://www.cantinelonardo.it/en/wines/grecomusc/)

VIVC: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=10269

Parentage: Unknown

Tasting notes: This unique wine presents an intense straw-yellow color with clear golden reflections, substantial and voluminous. The nose is intense and persistent, with distinct mineral notes accompanied by yellow flowers, preserved peaches, and vanilla.

On the palate, it’s dry with great intensity and good persistence. Warm and savory, it retains good acidity, making it pleasant to drink and capable of aging well over time. Source: (https://www.cantinelonardo.it/en/wines/grecomusc/)

Food Pairings: Certainly a wine for fresh Mediterranean cuisine, ranging from seafood, even baked, to vegetable-based soufflés, and up to fresh or mildly aged cheeses like caciocavallo, sheep and goat’s milk cheeses, and buffalo mozzarella. Ideal for accompanying Italian-style appetizers with mildly salted cold cuts, marinated vegetables, or vegetable-based pasta dishes without heavy sauces.  Serve at a temperature of 10-12°C. Source: (https://www.cantinelonardo.it/en/wines/grecomusc/)

Production areas: Cultivated in Irpinia and the province of Avellino), where wines made from it are typically bottled under regional designations such as Campania Bianco IGP or Irpinia Bianco IGT.

Producers: https://www.autoctovino.com/grape/rovello-bianco-roviello-bianco-greco-muscio/

Help us populate this website. Whatever verifiable information you could provide re: this varietal or others (story pertaining to the varietal, description, producer, importer etc...) would be appreciated. See Contact page or email please

Aiutateci a popolare questo sito. Ogni informazione verificabile che potrete fornire su queste o altre varietà (storia della varietà, descrizione, produttore, importatore, etc…) sarà molto gradita. Per questo potete indirizzare le informazioni utilizzando la sezione Contatti o l' email.