The white grape variety comes from Italy. Synonyms are Durel, Durella, Durello, Durola Veronese, Groppello Bianco, Nosella, Nosellara, Nosilla, Nosiola Gentile, Nusiola, Nusiola Gentile, Asparagus, Sparger and Spatula. It must not be confused with the Durella variety, even if it appears to have synonyms or morphological similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2007, it is a presumably natural cross between the Valais variety Rèze x of unknown partners. Since Rèze is also a parent of Groppello di Revò (with synonym Nosiola Nero), the synonym Groppello Bianco can be explained. There is also a genetic relationship with the variety Bonda. According to an unverifiable hypothesis it is a descendant of the Uva raetica mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23-79), from which the famous Raeticum was produced.
The medium to late-ripening, low-yielding vine is sensitive to spring frost, as well as to trickle, powdery mildew and grape rot. It produces straw-yellow, fruity, rather low-acid white wines with aromas of citrus and hazelnut (Nosiola is probably derived from the Italian "nocciola" = hazelnut) with a slightly bitter aftertaste. It is cultivated in the Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto regions, where it is permitted in the DOC wines Trentino and Valdadige (Etsch Valley). The variety is particularly suitable for the production of sweet wines and is used for a Vino Santo version. The Italian cultivation area is 65 hectares; a tiny stand of 0.1 hectares is also found in Australia. In 2016 a total of 65 hectares of vineyard area was designated with a strong downward trend (statistics Kym Anderson).
Source: Kym Anderson: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Pictures: M.I.P.A.A.F - National Vine Certification Service
