This white grape variety comes from Italy. The name is derived from the elongated grape shape (pigna = pine cone). Synonyms are Aglionzina, Alionzina, Grechetto di Todi, Grechetto Gentile, Greco Bianco di Rogliano, Occhietto, Pallagrello di Avellino, Pallagrello di Caserta, Pallarella, Piedimonte Bianco, Pignoletta Bianca, Pignoletto Bolognese, Pignolino, Pulcinculo, Rébola, Ribolla Riminese, Strozzavolpe and Uve Pignole. It should not be confused with Graševina (Welschriesling), Grechetto di Orvieto, Pallagrello Bianco (Piedimonte Bianco), Pignolo, Pinot Blanc or Ribolla Gialla, despite the synonyms or morphological similarities that seem to indicate it. According to an unverifiable hypothesis, Pignoletto is a descendant of the "Pino Lieto" (happy fir) mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23-79). The very old variety was first mentioned in 1654 as "Uve Pignole". According to DNA analyses, the varieties Grechetto di Todi (Umbria) and Rébola or Ribolla Riminese (Emilia-Romagna) are identical. There is a parent-offspring relationship with Grechetto di Orvieto (Umbria), which until then was considered a clone of Pignoletto. There is also a genetic relationship with Spergola.
The medium to late ripening, very productive vine produces fine-acidic, fresh white wines that are excellent for the production of sparkling wines. It is mainly cultivated in the Emilia-Romagna region around Bologna. There it is permitted in the DOC white wines Colli Bolognesi, Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto (DOCG), Colli di Faenza, Colli di Imola, Colli di Rimini, Pignoletto and Reno. In Umbria, however, the DOC regulations for Assisi, Colli Martani, Colli Perugini, Colli del Trasimeno, Lago di Corbara and Todi mention a variety under the name Grechetto. It is not clear whether this is Grechetto di Orvieto or Grechetto di Todi (Pignoletto). In 2016, a total of 1,174 hectares of vines were reported in Italy, with a strong downward trend (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012.
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
