The white grape variety originates from Greece. Synonyms are Lagarthi, Lagathi, Lagothra, Laghorti, Lagorhi, Lagorthi, Lagourthia, Lagoyrthia, Laorthi (Greece); Albese Bianco, Albina Verde, Alvino Verde, Biancolina, Carosella, Pampanuta, Pampanuto, Rizzulo, San Genaro, Tivolese, Uva Marana, Verdera, Verdicella, Verdicchio Femmina, Verdicchio Peloso, Verdicchio Verde, Verdigno, Verdisco, Verdisco Bianco, Verdone, Vino Verde (Italy). It must not be confused with the varieties Alvarinho, Pampanuto, Verdea or Verdicchio Bianco, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. The variety is identical to the Greek Lagorthi and arrived in Puglia from there. The Plavina variety is the result of a presumably natural cross between Tribidrag (Crljenak Kaštelanski) x Verdeca.
The late-ripening vine is resistant to frost, downy mildew and powdery mildew. It produces greenish white wines with a neutral aroma and taste. The variety is mainly cultivated in the Italian region of Apulia. There it is mainly used as a base for Vermouth and is permitted in the Apulian DOC wines Colline Joniche Tarantine, Gravina, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Ostuni, San Severo and Terra d'Otranto. There are further stocks in the regions of Basilicata and Campania. The Italian cultivation area is 912 hectares. There is also a tiny stand of 0.3 hectares in Peloponnese(Greece). In 2016, a total of 913 hectares of vines were 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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