| Vespolina | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
| Color of berry skin | Noir |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Seelist of synonyms |
| Origin | Italy |
| VIVC number | 13018 |
Vespolina is a redItalian winegrape variety that is planted inPiedmont aroundGattinara andGhemme.Ampelographer believe that the grape is most likelyindigenous to this area of Piedmont and recentDNA profiling identified a parent-offspring relationship withNebbiolo. Outside Piedmont it is found in theLombardy region ofOltrepò Pavese where the grape is known asUghetta.[1] InGattinara, Vespolina is sometimes blended with Nebbiolo andBonarda Piemontese.[2] Unlike the white Italian grapeVespaiolo, the root of the name Vespolina does not have a direct connection withvespe orwasp. However the true origins of the name are still unclear.[3]
Through its parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo, Vespolina is a half-sibling of several Piemontese wine grape varieties including:Bubbierasco,Brugnola,Freisa,Nebbiolo rosé,Negretta,Neretto di Bairo andRossola nera.[4]
The grape Vespolina is known under a variety ofsynonyms. These include Balsamina, Canneta, Croattina, Guzetta, Guzitta, Guzzetta, Inzaga, Inzagre, Massana, Nespolina, Nespolino, Novarina, Solenga, Ughetta, Ughetta di Caneto, Ughetta di Canetto, Ughetta di Canneto, Ughetta di Fassolo, Ughetta di Solenga, Uva Cinerina, Uva Rara, Uvetta, Uvetto, Vespolino, Visparola and Vispavola.[5]