Confusing name for different, at least partially unrelated grape varieties in the Italian region of Calabria. The name component Greco (there is also a white grape variety with this designation) is used very often in Italy, but does not necessarily indicate a Greek origin. DNA analyses carried out by the Italian ampelographer Anna Schneider in 2009 at the CNR Institute in Turin revealed several independent varieties with the name/name component or synonym Greco Nero. The most important are:
In the VIVC catalogue, a red grape variety is listed with the main name Greco Nero. Synonyms are Grecau Noir, Grecau Noir de Riposto, Greco Nero Calabrese, Greco Nero della Toscana, Greco Nero delle Marche, Greco Nero di Avellino, Greco Nero di Teramo, Greco Nero di Terni, Greco Nero di Velletri, Grecu Niuru, Sambiase, Sambiase Eufemia Lametia and Verdicchio Nera. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2013, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Terrano x Garnacha. However, this is also based on only 20 DNA markers (see Moluke genetics). On the website Italian Wine Central (IWC), however, the variety listed under Greco Noir has other synonyms, namely Greco, Gregu Nieddu, Maglioccone. It is not clear whether it is the same variety. It is authorised in the regions of Apulia, Calabria (DOC wines Bivongi, Lamezia, Terre di Cosenza) and Campania, as well as in numerous IGP wines of these regions. However, this website lists over 800 hectares as the amount of cultivation. This is about ten times as much as in Kym Anderson 's statistics (see below). Under the name Greco Nero, there are areas under cultivation in Argentina with 356 hectares and in Italy with 80 hectares. In 2016, a total of 437 hectares were reported, with an extremely downward trend (in 2010, there had been 1,256 hectares).
Images: M.I.P.A.F - National Vine Certification Service
