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Groppello Gentile is a historic red grape variety that belongs to the broader Groppello family, native to northern Italy, with origins rooted in Emilia-Romagna and extending from the Lago di Garda area to the Val di Non in Trentino. Revered since ancient times, Groppello Gentile has been praised by Latin authors such as Virgil and Pliny the Elder for its distinctive character and winemaking potential.
Closely related to other Groppelli grapes - particularly Groppello di Mocasina - Groppello Gentile is widely cultivated across Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna. It is especially valued in the production of rosé wines thanks to its delicate structure, aromatic profile, and bright colour. However, in practice, Groppello sub-varieties are often cultivated and vinified together, making pure expressions relatively rare.
The name "Groppello" is derived from the word groppo, meaning "knot" or "lump" in the Venetian dialect, referring to the tight, compact clusters of the grape. The berries are black, medium-sized, slightly flattened, and covered with a bluish bloom, while the bunches are small, cylindrical to conical, and extremely compact. The vine produces medium-sized, pentagonal leaves, usually three or five-lobed.
Groppello Gentile thrives in loose, well-exposed soils, which favour full ripening and offer good protection against botrytis and other fungal diseases. These conditions are essential for expressing the grape's finest qualities.
Wines made from Groppello Gentile are typically ruby red in colour, with medium acidity, a full-bodied structure, and a soft, rounded mouthfeel. The flavour profile often includes subtle spice notes, making it a charming choice for both rosé and light red wine lovers.
The vine Groppello of Revò belongs to the family of Groppelli, originating in the area from Lake Garda all originating from the area that goes from Lago di Garda to Val di Non in Trentino. Many Latin authors wrote about this variety, including Virgil and Pliny the Elder. Compared to other Groppelli varieties, Groppello di Mocasina, widespread in Lombardy, produces more intense and full-bodied wines. Often, however, the sub varieties are mixed together.
Groppello name comes from lump (“nodo” in the Venetian dialect), as the berries of this variety are closely packed. Groppello vine is found mostly in Veneto (in the provinces of Vicenza, Verona and Treviso), Trentino and Lombardy (in the provinces of Brescia and Bergamo).
The berry is black, medium, spherical, slightly flattened with skin of medium consistency, covered with bloom, homogeneous, blue-black colored. At times this grape has a slightly herbaceous flavor. Its bunch is small, cylindrical or cylindrical-conical, rarely with a small lump, very compact and with a medium, pentagonal, three-lobed or five-lobed leaf.
The vine Groppello di Revò prefers loose soil, well exposed, that ensure a good maturation and better defense against attacks of botrytis.
The wine made from the Groppello di Revò grape variety has a ruby-red color with medium acidity and full-body, soft and round on the palate, slightly spicy.
The vine Gruaja was originally cultivated in the Bassano area, in the province of Vicenza, and was for the first time mentioned by Acerbi in 1825. Until the end of the century it was mentioned in numerous writings, and the Gruaja name is also listed as a synonym of Raboso.
In 1925 Marzotto quotes a vine called “Crovaja” or “Cruaja” or “Cruara” widespread limitedly in areas around Montebelluna, between Vicenza and Treviso, from which you could get a decent quality wine.
More recently known as “Gruajo”, it almost disappeared, it gives a wine in the Breganze area, not far from Bassano, from where it originated.
The Guardavalle grape is a native white variety of the Calabrian province of Reggio Calabria. Found only in Calabria, in the wine regions of Kalipera, in the province of Reggio Calabria and in particular in the Ionian coast of the region the grape is mainly used in blends with other native grapes.
The Guardavalle berry is medium size, spherical shaped with a peel of medium and large thickness, slightly waxy, amber color uneven. The bunch is medium, conical, sometimes sparse, medium compact and medium, pentagonal, five-lobed leaves. The grape has a good tolerance to adverse climatic conditions, it is not particularly demanding, therefore easy to grow.
The grape, when vinified on its own, produces straw yellow colored wines with an intense aroma with toasted hazelnut notes, warm and low acidity in the mouth.
Guarnaccia Bianca is a little-known white grape variety native to Calabria. Today, its cultivation is extremely limited, found almost exclusively in the province of Cosenza, where it continues to be grown in small quantities by a handful of producers. Though often overshadowed by more prominent southern Italian varieties, Guarnaccia holds historical significance and adds subtle character to local wines.
The origins of Guarnaccia remain uncertain. Some ampelographic theories suggest it may have migrated from Sicily, while others propose an even older Mediterranean lineage. Despite the mystery surrounding its ancestry, Guarnaccia has survived through centuries of traditional cultivation in Calabria’s inland hills, largely due to its resilience and blending versatility.
This variety features white berries that are medium in size and spherical in shape, with a thick, very waxy skin that ranges in tone from greenish-white to golden amber, depending on ripeness and sun exposure. The bunch is medium-sized, elongated, and conical, with medium density, while the leaves are typically pentagonal in shape.
Guarnaccia Bianca vines are noted for their good vigor and medium ripening period, offering stable, consistent yields in the Calabrian climate. The grape is not particularly high in acidity, which makes it well-suited for blending with both white and red local varieties, where it lends body, balance, and soft floral or fruity undertones.
When vinified on its own, Guarnaccia Bianca produces a pale yellow wine with low acidity, mild aromatics, and a delicate, easy-drinking profile. While it is rarely bottled as a single varietal wine, its contribution to blends enhances structure and brings a mellow, rounded texture to the final product.
The Impigno grape is a little-known, ancient white variety native to the Apulia (Puglia). Although its precise origin remains uncertain, many believe it may have first appeared in the Tarantino area, particularly around Martina Franca, before making its way to the province of Brindisi, where it is primarily cultivated today.
Local tradition holds that the name Impigno derives from the surname of a farmer who began cultivating the variety in this region in the early 20th century, helping to preserve and spread its use across the area.
From a viticultural perspective, the Impigno vine is characterized by good vigor, medium ripening, and generous yields, making it a reliable choice for blending in regional white wines. The grape produces medium-sized, green-amber berries with thin, soft, and slightly waxy skins. The bunches are medium in size, sometimes winged but generally loose, allowing for good air circulation. The leaves are medium, simple in shape, and typical of Apulian native varieties.
Wines made from Impigno are typically straw yellow in color, with a fresh, fruity bouquet and a dry, well-balanced palate. Although rarely bottled as a single-varietal wine, Impigno is valued for its ability to enhance blends with other local grapes such as Verdeca, Bianco di Alessano, and Francavilla, contributing freshness, aromatic lift, and structure.
The Invernenga vine is an authochthonal variety of Brescia. Its berries are white and its origins are unknown. It is mentioned for the first time in a document from the Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Commerce of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1826, which described Invernenga as one of the most cultivated vines in the Brescia area.
The name probably comes from the fact that the grapes were kept in winter as table grapes. Its spread is limited to very few areas on the West, mostly in very old vineyards. Invernenga is registered in the National Register of Grapevine Varieties in 1971 and in purity it is present as a unique wine to IGT, the Ronchi di Brescia.
The berry is white, medium-large, and spherical with green-yellow skin color. The bunch is medium, pyramid, simple, medium loose with a medium-large, lobed leaf.
The Invernenga variety has medium vigor and medium-late maturing.
The Invernenga grape gives a wine of greenish hues, fine aroma, and fruity, slightly almond taste with little acidity.
Inzolia - also spelled Insolia and known as Ansonica in Tuscany - is an ancient white grape variety believed to have originated in Sicily. Today, it is primarily cultivated in the western part of the island, particularly in areas surrounding Trapani and Marsala, where the Mediterranean climate and coastal breezes help enhance its character and balance.
Although its exact origins remain debated, Inzolia has long been a cornerstone of Sicilian viticulture. Over the centuries, it has also found a home on the Tuscan coast, especially on the island of Elba and in the Maremma region, where it is widely known as Ansonica. Despite the different names, these grapes are genetically the same and share a common flavour profile and viticultural behaviour.
Inzolia is rarely vinified as a single varietal wine. Instead, it is typically blended with other native or international white grape varieties to add structure, freshness, and aromatic complexity. It is especially valued for its distinctive nutty aroma - often reminiscent of almonds - alongside citrus notes, delicate florals, and occasional herbal undertones. When vinified alone, Inzolia wines tend to be dry, medium-bodied, and subtly aromatic, with moderate acidity and a smooth, elegant mouthfeel.
This grape also plays an important role in the production of traditional Marsala wines. In particular, Inzolia grown in and around the historic town of Marsala is used in crafting Marsala Oro and Marsala Ambra, two amber-hued, fortified wines celebrated for their complexity, depth, and aging potential. These styles of Marsala benefit greatly from Inzolia’s aromatic lift and structural contribution.
Resilient and adaptable, Inzolia thrives in hot, sun-drenched climates and is relatively resistant to drought. It prefers well-drained soils and tends to ripen early, which helps preserve its aromatic profile and prevents over-maturation in warmer regions.
Uva Regina - meaning "the Queen's Grape" - is one of the most iconic and widely cultivated table grape varieties in Italy and beyond. The best-known clone, Incrocio Mathiasz 140, was created in 1916 by Hungarian viticulturist G. Mathiasz, who crossed Regina Elisabetta with Perla di Csaba. This early-ripening, high-quality hybrid became known as Regina, the queen of table grapes, reigning supreme in Italian vineyards, especially across Sicily and Puglia.
Regina grapes are prized for their large, ellipsoid berries, golden skin, rich pulp, and high sugar content, delivering a distinct Muscat aroma and deliciously sweet taste. They are not only perfect for fresh consumption but also highly valued in the export market due to their excellent resistance to transportation. Although the vine lacks strong vigor, it is incredibly productive and typically harvested in August. Regina is a staple of Mediterranean summer tables and a symbol of traditional Italian viticulture.
The Lacrima grape variety is also known by the name of the wine that is used from, the Lacrima di Morro d'Alba.
A native grape from Marche, it has ancient origins, there are evidences that in 1167 Frederick Barbarossa drunk a wine made from this grape when he stayed in the castle of Morro d'Alba during the siege of Ancona and the origins of the name seem to derive from the fact that the berries, when ripe, ooze juice droplets that appear as tears (lacrima means tear in Italian) and over the centuries its presence has shrunk more and more to become a variety exclusively grown in the area of Morro d'Alba.
In the last couple of decades, there has been a rediscovery of the Lacrima grape and it is being replanted, and with limited extensions, it is also grown in Romagna, Tuscany and Puglia. The Lacrima grape has a black berry, medium, spherical with thick and consistent, blue-black colored skin. The cluster is medium, pyramidal, winged and straggly with a medium, pentagonal, five-lobed leaf.
The Lacrima grape prefers a temperate climate since it is not very resistant to bad weather and sensible to botrytis. The Lacrima of Morro d'Alba produces intense ruby red wines with purple hues. The nose is aromatic, distinctive with notes of violets, with aging the olfactory notes evolve to strawberry, cherry, blackberries, blueberries. Lacrima di Morro d’Alba is medium bodied and on the palate is dry, with smooth tannins.
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