The white grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Pallagrella Bianca, Pallagrello Bianco Avellino, Pallagrello di Avellino, Pallarella, Piedimonte Bianco and Uva Bianca Antica Finaide. It must not be confused with the varieties Coda di Volpe Bianca (was synonymous with Pallagrello Bianco) or Pignoletto (Pallagrello Bianco), despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities (grapes in foxtail shape). The parentage is unknown. In any case, it is not a colour mutation of Pallagrello Nero. Both varieties were planted under the then names Piedimonte Bianco and Piedimonte Rosso in the famous "Vigna del Ventaglio" on Monte San Leucio. Located near the royal palace of Caserta in Campania, this vineyard, which has now disappeared, was completed by the famous architect Luigi Vanvitelli (1700-1773) or his son in 1775 for King Ferdinand I of Sicily (1751-1825). It was laid out in a semicircular shape in the form of a fan divided into ten segments with ten grape varieties.
Both formerly widespread varieties were almost extinct and were reactivated by the lawyer and amateur vintner Peppe Mancini in the 1990s. The medium to late ripening, low-yielding vine is resistant to botrytis. It produces white wines that are rich in alcohol but rather low in acidity, with aromas of peaches and apricots. The variety is mainly cultivated in the Campanian province of Caserta. In 2016, an area under cultivation of only 6 hectares was reported, with a strong downward trend; in 2010, there were 55 hectares (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
