The white grape variety originates from the border region Italy (Gorizia)-Slovenia (Goricia). Synonyms are Uccellut, Uccelutt and Ucielute. The vine, selected from wild vines, has been cultivated in the province of Pordenone (Friuli Venezia Giulia) for several centuries. Its parentage is unknown. It belongs to the "Uve Uccelline" (Bird's Wine Berries), appreciated by birds, from where the name derives. The almost extinct vine was reactivated in the 1980s by winemaker Emilio Bulfon with the help of ampelographers Antonio Calò and Ruggero Forti. The late-ripening vine is susceptible to botrytis, which makes it suitable for noble sweet passito. It is grown in the municipalities of Castelnovo di Friuli and Pinzano al Tagliamento. Ten hectares of vines were designated in 2016 (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: M.I.P.A.F - National Vine Certification Service
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena