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Picolit

The white grape variety originates from the border region Italy (Gorizia)-Slovenia (Goricia). There are over 30 synonyms, some of which are Balafant, Kék Nyelli, Kiknyelue, Picciolito del Friuli, Piccoleto, Piccoleto Bianco, Piccolit, Piccolito, Piccolito Bianco, Piccolito del Friuli, Piccolito Friulano, Picolit Bianco, Piculit, Pikolit, Uva del Friuli, White Pikolit, White Blaustingel, White Ranful. The parentage is unknown. According to several DNA analyses, the two Hungarian varieties Balafánt and Kéknyelű, which until then had often been considered identical, were recognised as distinct. The red variety Piculit Neri (Picolit Nero) is not (as often assumed) a colour mutation. It is not known whether there is a genetic connection to the white variety Picolit Giallo. According to one hypothesis, the Picolit variety was supposedly already known to the Romans. However, there is no historical or botanical evidence for this. In any case, it is a very old variety.

Picolit - Weintraube und Blatt

The variety was first mentioned in 1682 in a list of wines served at the wedding reception of the Doge of Venice Alvise Contarini (1601-1684). A sweet wine made from the Picolit variety was produced in the 18th century by Conte Fabio Asquini (1726-1818) and bottled in Murano glass. This was considered the equal of Château d'Yquem and Tokay and was supplied to the ruling courts of England, France, Holland, Austria and Russia. The count also left a detailed description for its production. A document from 1765 confirms that Picolit wine also met with the highest approval at the court of Pope Clement XIII (1693-1769). The Austrian ampelographer Franz Xaver Trummer (1800-1858) described it in 1855 as "Gelber Pikolit" (at that time Friuli belonged to the Imperial and Royal Habsburg Empire).

The variety, which used to be widespread in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, was greatly reduced by phylloxera and was threatened with extinction. It was reactivated by Giacomo Perusini in Corno di Rosazzo (province of Udine). The sweet wine, produced according to the old recipe of Conte Fabio Asquini, achieved cult status at the end of the 1960s. It is an all-female grape variety, so it is planted together with Verduzzo Friulano for pollination. The vine produces sweet wines with aromas of apricots, peaches and honey. It is mainly cultivated in the provinces of Udine and Gorizia and is the dominant variety in the DOCG wine Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit. In Italy, it occupies 121 hectares. In Slovenia, a distinction is made between the clones Pikolit Italia and Pikolit Vienna. A small population is also said to exist in Australia. In 2016, however, only the Italian stock was 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

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Dominik Trick

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Dominik Trick
Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg

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