The white grape variety originates from Italy. It is one of the many Vernaccia varieties. Synonyms are Bervedino, Caccione, Drupeccio, Piccabòn, Primaticcio Bianco, Trupeccio, Uva Bianca Antica, Uva Vecchia, Vernaccia, Vernaccia Bianca di San Gimignano and Vernaccia di Toscana. It should not be confused with the Drupeggio or Vernaccia di Oristano varieties, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2011, the Bervedino variety is identical. According to various hypotheses, it should have come from Liguria, or from Spain or Greece. The very old variety was first mentioned in 1276 in the municipality of San Gimignano (province of Siena) in Tuscany. In the 16th century, it was used by the cellar master of Pope Paul III. (1468-1549) praised it.
The medium to late ripening, high-yielding vine is susceptible to both powdery mildew and grape rot. It yields white wines with citrus and bitter almond notes that show high quality potential. The variety is mainly grown around San Gimignano, where it is present in the DOC wines Colli dell'Etruria Centrale and San Gimignano, and determinant in the DOCG wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano. In Emilia-Romagna, it is permitted as Bervedino in the DOC white wine Colli Piacentini (Vin Santo Monterosso Val d'Arda). The area under cultivation in 2016 was 884 hectares (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
