An ancient grape variety mentioned by Columella (1st century A.D.) and Pliny the Elder (23-79) (also Vitis apianis). The wine from it was called "Apianum". It was so called because of its special attraction to bees (apis) due to the particularly sweet berries and its distinctive fragrance. According to one hypothesis, the Campania variety Fiano is said to be a descendant. The very old varieties Muscat Blanc and Muscat d'Alexandrie have also been/are often associated with it. However, there is no historical, botanical or genetic evidence of this.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)