The white grape variety comes from Sardinia(Italy) or from Spain. It is one of the many varieties with Vernaccia in its name. Synonyms are Caganaccia, Carnaccia, Granazza, Moranina, Pellegrina, Pissotta, Spargoletta Bianca, Spergola, Spargolina, Spergolina, Spergolinàis, Varnacchia, Vernaccia, Vernaccia Austera, Vernaccia Bianca, Vernaccia, di San Vero Millis and Vernaccia di Solarussa. According to one hypothesis, it was brought to Sardinia by the Phoenicians via the port city of Tharros, which they founded in 800 BC. This would also confirm an often suspected Spanish origin. In any case, the very old variety was first mentioned in a legal text in Iglesias in the southwest of the island in 1327. According to personal information from Dr. Erika Maul (JKI), the variety Spergola is identical.
The medium to late ripening vine is particularly susceptible to powdery and downy mildew, as well as sensitive to late frost. With appropriate ageing, it produces white wines with a rather neutral taste. The variety is grown almost exclusively in the DOC area Vernaccia di Oristano in the lower part of the Valle del Tirso in the province of Oristano. There it is used for various types of wine from dry to sweet and also for sherry-style fortified wines. The area under cultivation in 2016 was 246 hectares with a strong downward trend (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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