This red grape variety comes from Italy. The name is derived from the wasps (Ital. vespa) that are attracted by the sugar-rich berries. Synonyms are Balsamina, Canneta, Croattina, Guzetta, Guzzetta, Inzaga, Inzagre, Massana, Nespolina, Nespolino, Nespoulìn, Novarina, Solenga, Ughetta, Ughetta di Canetto, Ughetta di Fassolo, Ughetta di Solenga, Uva Cinerina, Uvetta di Canneto, Uvetta di Fassolo, Uva Rara, Vespolino and Vispavola. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Nebbiolo x Coccalona Nera. It was mentioned in 1787 in an ampelography of Count Giuseppe Nuvolone-Pergamo (President of the Società Agraria di Torino) in Piedmont (Gattinara). It was increasingly replaced by the higher-yielding Barbera after the phylloxera disaster from the beginning of the 20th century.
The early to medium ripening vine is susceptible to small berry and downy mildew, as well as sensitive to drought. It produces spicy, fruity red wines with moderate tannins. The variety is permitted in the DOC/DOCG red wines Boca, Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese, Bramaterra, Colline Novaresi, Coste della Sesia, Fara, Gattinara, Ghemme, Lessona and Sizzano. IUm 2016, 88 hectares of vineyards were reported with a decreasing 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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