Robola is a whiteGreek winegrape variety that is grown primarily on theIonian island ofCephalonia. Historically the vine was thought to be the same variety as theFriuli wine grapeRibolla and was thought to have been brought to northeast Italy byVenetian merchants trading with Cephalonia in the 13th century.[1] However,DNA profiling in the 21st century has cast doubt on that theory and today Robola is classified by theVitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) as a separate variety.[2]
On Cephalonia, Robola vines are oftenungrafted in thelimestone soils of the island.[3] The vine isearly ripening and can producehigh acid wines with significantphenolic levels. Wines made from this grape tend to bedry,medium bodied with a distinctlemon note.[1] According to wine expertOz Clarke, Robola wines can haveflinty character as well.[3]
Over the years Robola has been known under a variety of synonyms including Asporombola, Asprorobola, Asprorompola, Robbola, Robola Aspri, Robola Kerini, Rombola, Rombola Aspri and Rompola.[2]