Avanà

The Avanà grape is a native red grape variety from the province of Turin, most widely cultivated in the Val di Susa, an alpine valley that has long been a crossroads between Italy and France. Its close affinity with French grapes such as Troyan and Gamay d’Orléans suggests that Avanà may have originated beyond the Alps, introduced during the era when Piedmont was part of the Duchy of Savoy.

Like many historic Italian grapes, Avanà suffered a dramatic decline after the devastation of phylloxera in the late 19th century. Today, it remains a marginal variety, preserved mainly in local vineyards of Val di Susa rather than in large-scale plantings. No official registry records a wine made from Avanà in pure varietal form; instead, it is most often blended with other Piedmontese grapes to enhance traditional local wines. Although not widely cultivated today, Avanà remains an important symbol of the viticultural heritage of Val di Susa and Piedmont.

The Avanà berry is medium to medium-large, spheroidal in shape, with a thick, consistent skin covered with only a slight bloom and displaying a deep blue hue. The clusters are medium to medium-small, cylindrical in form, sometimes featuring a small wing, and ranging from slightly compact to moderately loose. Its leaves are medium or medium-small, typically orbicular and faintly trefoil-shaped.

When vinified, the Avanà grape produces a ruby-red wine of moderate intensity. The aromatic profile is delicate and elegant, offering subtle notes of red berries and almonds. Because of its structure and finesse, Avanà is rarely vinified alone and is instead commonly blended with Neretta Cuneese and Barbera, contributing freshness, aroma, and balance to regional blends.