Italian name or component of vine variety names in northern Italy. The term Schiava is derived from the Latin "sclavus" or the Italian "schiavo", meaning "slave". The German names are Trollinger(also Urban) in Germany and Vernatsch in South Tyrol. Vernatsch derives from the Latin "vernaculus" for "native" or autochthonous. Although there are several Vernatsch or Schiava varieties (clones), the name Schiava is also used for other independent grape varieties. They differ in berry size, berry colour, flower colour (Schiava Grigia), grape shape and ripening time, from which the distinction into Grossa, Gentile, Grigia and Lombarda is derived. The most common variety in Kaltern and Tramin is the Vernatsch Klon 59 (personal information from winemaker and wine author Werner Morandell, Lieselehof/Kaltern; as well as from winemaker Bernhard Pichler, Messnerhof/Bozen- both South Tyrol).
The synonym "slept", which is also used for the independent Rossara Trentina variety, is probably also derived from "slave". Vernatsch/Schiava is also called Rossola in Veneto; however, it must not be confused with the Rossola Nera variety. It is not clear which of the varieties cultivated in South Tyrol are to be regarded as "clones/varieties" and which are actually "independent". To do so, one would have to genetically examine all Vernatsch/Schiava vines.
In the first half of the 18th century, Schiava or Vernatsch was brought to Baden-Württemberg and the Rhine. Today it is mainly cultivated in Württemberg and Baden, but in small quantities also in other growing regions under the name Blauer Trollinger (Trollinger). The name (also "T(i)yrolinger") is a verbalisation of "Tirolinger" and refers to the vine's origin in South Tyrol. The main name should actually be the German "Vernatsch", although in Italy "Schiava" is more common. This is because the largest areas of cultivation are clearly in the German-speaking South Tyrol. The most important:
- Schiava - synonym for some Schiava varieties and Rossara Trentina.
- Schiava Bianca
- Schiava Gentile (Blue Urban, Common Vernatsch, Small Vernatsch, Medium Vernatsch, Red Vernatsch, Schiava Piccola, Black Urban)
- Schiava Grigia (Grey Trollinger, Grey Vernatsch)
- Schiava Grossa (Blue Trollinger, Edelvernatsch, Frankenthaler, Tschaggele, Vernatsch)
- Schiava Lombarda (Schiava di Bergamo, Schiava di Varese, Schiava Nera)
- Schiava Meranese (Merano Vernatsch)
- Schiava Nera Toscana (Schiava Nera)
- Red Trollinger - colour mutation of Schiava Grossa (Blue Trollinger)
- Red Urban - colour mutation of Schiava Gentile (Blue Urban)
- Uva Schiava - synonym for Alionza
In 2016, a total of 236 hectares of vineyards were registered under the name Schiava in Italy, with a strong downward trend; most of them in Foggia in the Puglia region and in Trentino, the southern part of Trentino-Alto Adige. However, it is unclear which variety is involved - it could also include different Schiava varieties. Stocks have also been identified for the Schiava Gentile, Schiava Grigia and Schiava Grossa varieties (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012.
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
