Vespolina

Not to be confused with Vespaiola.
Vespolina
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skinNoir
SpeciesVitis vinifera
Also calledSee list of synonyms
OriginItaly
VIVC number13018

Vespolina is a red Italian wine grape variety that is planted in Piedmont around Gattinara and Ghemme. Ampelographer believe that the grape is most likely indigenous to this area of Piedmont and recent DNA profiling identified a parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo. Outside Piedmont it is found in the Lombardy region of Oltrepò Pavese where the grape is known as Ughetta.[1] In Gattinara, Vespolina is sometimes blended with Nebbiolo and Bonarda Piemontese.[2] Unlike the white Italian grape Vespaiolo, the root of the name Vespolina does not have a direct connection with vespe or wasp. However the true origins of the name are still unclear.[3]

  1. ^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 733 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  2. ^ J. Robinson Jancis Robinson's Wine Course Third Edition pg 153 Abbeville Press 2003 ISBN 0-7892-0883-0
  3. ^ Oz Clarke Encyclopedia of Grapes pg 273 Harcourt Books 2001 ISBN 0-15-100714-4