The white grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Bianchetta, Bianchetta d'Alba, Bianchetta di Alba, Bianchetto, Bianchetto Albese, Bianchetto d'Alba, Bianchetto di Verzuolo and Nebbiolo Bianco (but there is no genetic relationship to the red variety Nebbiolo). The name means "little difficult one" and in the Piedmontese dialect refers to a person with a grumpy, unreliable and irascible character (however, this has no connection with the characteristics of Arneis). The variety was possibly mentioned as early as 1432 under the name Ranaysii in the province of Torino in Piedmont. However, it was only named Arneis in 1877 by the ampelographer Giuseppe di Rovasenda (1824-1913). In the past, it was mainly used to make sweet passito or as a softening blend for dark Nebbiolo red wines, which also explains the synonym Nebbiolo Bianco. The medium-maturing, low-yielding vine is resistant to downy mildew, but susceptible to powdery mildew. It produces exotically fragrant, full-bodied white wines with aromas of white flowers, apple, pear and hazelnut. It is also known as "Barolo Bianco".
The variety is mainly grown in the Italian region of Piedmont, where it is permitted in the DOC/DOGC wines Langhe, Terre Alfieri and Roero. It is also present in small quantities in the two regions of Liguria and Sardinia. In the 1970s, the variety was already threatened with extinction; only very few winegrowers, such as the well-known Bruno Giacosa, produced bottled wines from it. From the 1980s onwards, there was an increased demand and therefore a reactivation of the vine. In Italy, it occupies 1,108 hectares of vineyards, with an upward trend. There are further areas under cultivation in Australia (37 ha) and New Zealand (33 ha), in the two US states of California and Oregon, and in Switzerland (0.1 ha). In 2016, a total of 1,179 hectares of vineyards were reported (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: M.I.P.A.F - National Vine Certification Service
