Bosco

The Bosco grape is a historic white grape variety cultivated primarily in Liguria, especially in the Cinque Terre region and around Genoa. While its origins remain uncertain, the most widely accepted theory is that Bosco originated in the Cinque Terre, with its name referencing the wooded hills that characterize the landscape, "bosco" means forest in Italian.

Another possibility is that the grape traces its roots to Genoa, with the name derived from the forested areas of the Villa Marchesi Durazzo park.
Bosco plays a crucial role in the production of Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà, a famous sweet dessert wine from Liguria. This grape variety is particularly well-suited to drying on racks, a key step in making Sciacchetrà.

The Bosco grape is characterized by its white, medium-sized, ellipsoidal berries with thick, waxy skin that ranges from greenish-yellow to gray, often appearing darker when exposed to the sun. Its bunches are medium to large in size, conical, winged, and very loosely packed. The leaves are medium in size, pentagonal in shape, and typically have five lobes.

Bosco thrives in dry, hilly terrain, typical of Liguria’s coastal vineyards. However, its production is often irregular due to issues like flower drop and millerandage (uneven berry development).

Typically, the Bosco grape is vinified in blends with other local white varieties such as Albarola, Vermentino, and Bianchetta, enhancing the complexity of Ligurian wines.