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The Minella Bianca grape is definitely native to the region of Sicily. Its origins are unknown. It is believed that the name derives from the particular elongated shape of the berry, which reminds one breast.
It is generally grown on the slopes of Etna, and enters to be part of the Etna DOC composition. Typically it is vinified together with other grapes of the area, first of all with the Catarratto.
The berry is white, medium large, ellipsoidal with golden yellow or greenish skin, waxy, thin, consistent. The bunch is medium-large, pyramidal, simple or with wings, medium loose with a medium, pentagonal leaf with three-five lobes.
The vine Minella Bianca prefers forms of small livestock expansion (low bush), with short and poor pruning. This grape variety has low vigor and time of late maturation; its productivity is very extensive but inconsistent.
The grape Minella Bianca gives a straw yellow wine, a dry, fresh, intense scent with pleasant fruity notes. Little body and with very low alcohol content, fine and harmonious.
The Molinara grape is characterized by an abundant presence of bloom on the berries, from which it gets the name mulinara, i.e. “from the mill”. It is a native grape from the Veneto region and since 1800 this variety has been grown in the Valpolicella, Valpantena and in the Val d'Illasi areas and it is called differently depending on where it is grown, “Rossara” or “Rossanella” is its name in the Garda area, “Brepon” in the Valpantena. The Molinara grape is often confused with “Ua salà” (salted grapes, because of the salty taste).
The Molinara has a black, medium, spheroidal, slightly elongated berry with red-violet, firm and slightly thick skin, very waxy. The cluster is medium, elongated, with one or two short wings, rather loose, with a medium-large, three-lobed, sometimes entire leaf.
The Molinara grape variety has a good yield and abundant production.
When vinified on its own, Molinara grapes produces a bright cherry colour wine, with a delicate aroma and medium body, the grape though, is mainly used in blends with other grapes of the area to produce Valpolicella and Bardolino wines.
Monferrato is an historical wine region located in Piedmont within the provinces of Alessandria and Asti and a DOC appellation, a very confusing one. The wines of the DOC Monferrato appellation can belong to the generic types Rosso and Bianco or Chiaretto or grape derived, Dolcetto, Freisa and Cortese del Monferrato Casalese.
Monferrato DOC is also the appellation used when no other appellation fits the wine description, since it list dozens of grapes, native and international, and doesn’t specify any ageing, giving the wine maker an almost empty canvas. There are hundreds of wines under the Monferrato Doc label completely different from each other and as such, impossible to compare.
In the Monferrato Rosso wine, the main grapes tend to be Barbera and Nebbiolo amongst the native, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Nero for the international varieties. Monferrato Bianco on the other side, is likely to include the native Cortese and Favorita grapes, or the international Chardonnay and Sauvignon.
Sagrantino could be considered Umbria’s flagship grape and Montefalco Sagrantino, in reality the appellation is called Sagrantino di Montefalco, where Sagrantino is the grape and Montefalco is the town, its flagship wine. Little know outside the region, let alone outside Italy, Montefalco Sagrantino is a red wine with great structure and longevity that can stand the other big Italian central red wines, from Brunello di Montalcino to Nobile di Montepulciano.
Montefalco Sagrantino, according to its “disciplinare”, regulation, can be dry, secco, and passito, sweet wine, and must be made with 100% Sagrantino grape grow in and around the town of Montefalco, province of Perugia, and must be aged for at least 33 months with at least 12 months in Barriques and then another 4 months in bottle. Montefalco Sagrantino passito on the other side, doesn’t require any wood ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino is a very complex wine with a rich and powerful nose typically characterised by notes of fruit and aromatic herbs. On the palate the wine is very structured, with firm tannins and pairs perfectly grilled and roast meats, stews, game and mature hard cheeses.
Montepulciano is a red grape variety widely grown in central Italy, mainly in Abruzzo and Marche and named after the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, despite not being used for the famous wines produced there, the Nobile di Montepulciano .
At the beginning of the ‘900, Montepulciano was Italy's second most planted red grape variety, just behind Sangiovese, due to the style of the wines it produces, very approachable, very versatile, and because of the variety reliability.
The Montepulciano grape is renowned and appreciated for its characteristics, from flavours to color to gentle tannins, and for this reasons it is used in varying proportions to produce about 50 of Italy's DOC and DOCG denominations, and many other blends, and on its own.
The most famous Montepulciano wines come from Abruzzo where it is grown everywhere, from the internal hills to the coast under the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo denomination. There is only one DOCG wine produced with Montepulciano grapes and this is the Colline Teramane, all others are DOCs. Montepulciano grapes are also used for the Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo rose’ wine.
Montepulciano is also the main grape in two other very important central Italian wines, the Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno, both from Marche.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a red wine made with Montepulciano grapes grown in Abruzzo. Whilst Montepulciano grapes are widely cultivated in the centre and south of Italy, from Tuscany to Sicily, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo can only be made from grapes grown in Abruzzo.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, together with the white Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and the rose' Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, made with Montepulciano grapes, represent Abruzzo's flagship wines and are produced all over the region. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a DOC wine, except the wines produced in the “Colline Teramane” and "Tullum" area, which in 2003 were granted the DOCG status.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine’s quality can vary significantly, from very poor to outstanding, passing for easy to drink, fruity red wines - the Montepulciano grape has the potential to make outstanding wines - and it is down to the wine makers and the choices made in the vineyards, low yield vs high yield, and winery, aged vs unaged, to determine the quality and style of the resulting wine.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, if consumed young, is appreciated for their fruitiness and their gentle tannins, but can also be wood aged, producing great, complex wines that can rival some of the best Italian and non, red wines, wines that can be cellared for several years.
The Montù grape has origins not very characterized, although its presence has been found between the provinces of Modena and Bologna since ancient times. Even today this is its area of choice, especially in the vicinity of the river Reno.
The Montù vine is part of the ampelographic base of DOC Reno. It seems that its name comes from the contraction of the local dialect meaning “Mont’ù” that would mean “a lot of grapes” – “molta uva.” Indeed, the grape is known for the abundance of its production.
The berry is white, medium, and spheroidal with thick and substantial skin, very waxy, yellow-green colored. The cluster is medium, elongated, cylindrical-pyramidal, often provided with one or two wings, medium compact with medium, pentagonal, three-lobed or five-lobed leaf.
Montù prefers clay and limestone soils and cool and ventilated areas, although it has no particular climatic requirements. It has an abundant and regular production.
The vine Montù gives a straw-colored wine, with a slightly fruity scent. The taste is dry, fresh, fruity and harmonious, slightly tannic and with good body.
Numerous scholars including Acerbi in 1825, Rovasenda in 1877, Molon in 1906 and Dalmasso in 1964 all said that the vine Moscatello selvatico belongs to the great family of Moscati, although the term Moscatello is often used to indicate grape varieties different between them.
According to recent studies conducted by Crespan and Milani in 2001, Moscatello selvatico would be directly related to the Moscato di Alessandria. The major production area is the Apulian coast, from Barletta to Monopoli, in particular the area around Andria and Trani, but it also enters the Doc Moscadello of Montalcino, in Tuscany.
The berry is white, medium large, round with large, yellow-green skin. The cluster is medium, tapered cylindrical, winged and compact with a medium-small, orbicular, or three-lobed leaf.
The Moscatello selvatico grape gives a pale yellow wine with the particular aromatic fragrance. The taste is sweet, fresh and delicate.
Moscato, also known as Muscat in France and Moscatel in Spain and Portugal, is one of the most aromatic and widely cultivated grape varieties in the world. Found throughout the Italian peninsula, Moscato is especially popular in Italy, which produces more of this grape than any other country—primarily as the renowned Moscato d'Asti, made from the Moscato Bianco grape.
Moscato is known by many names and appellations depending on the region. Examples include Moscadello di Montalcino, Moscato di Canelli, Moscato di Trani and Moscato d'Asti and each one of these wines offers a unique expression of Moscato's distinctive aromatic profile, which has made it a favorite among wine lovers around the world.
Moscato belongs to the ancient Moscati family of grapes, aromatic varieties whose name comes from the Latin muscum, meaning “moss,” referencing their characteristic musky scent. Other notable members of this grape family include Moscato di Alessandria - known for producing light, fruity white wines, Moscato Ottonel - a pale variety that ripens early, Moscato d’Amburgo - a black-skinned grape often used as a table grape and Moscato Giallo and Moscato Rosa - yellow and pink grapes from northern Italy used in both sweet and dry wines.
Moscato thrives in warm, Mediterranean climates, making it ideal for cultivation in Italy, southern France, and parts of Spain and Portugal. Its ability to adapt to different regions and styles has helped it maintain global popularity.
What sets Moscato apart is its versatility. While most people associate Moscato with sweet or semi-sweet wines, this grape can be crafted into a wide range of styles, including dry Moscato and sparkling Moscato. Each style retains Moscato's signature floral and fruity aroma, making it a popular choice for casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike.
Moscato d’Asti is a renowned sweet, low-alcohol, slightly sparkling dessert wine made from Moscato Bianco grapes grown in Piedmont, specifically in the Asti area. This delightful wine carries the prestigious DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status, ensuring high standards of quality and regional authenticity.
A recent and significant development within the appellation is the creation of a sub-appellation to highlight an area recognized for producing some of the finest expressions of Moscato d’Asti - Canelli. This zone, long celebrated for its winemaking tradition, is now officially acknowledged as Canelli DOCG, further distinguishing its superior terroir.
Moscato d’Asti (including Canelli) is visually captivating, typically straw yellow in color, sometimes with golden reflections, and notable for its brilliant clarity. On the nose, it delivers an intense aromatic bouquet of musk, white flowers, stone fruits, and honey. Its signature musky note is what gives the wine, and the grape, its name.
Though often enjoyed as a dessert wine, a high-quality Moscato d’Asti or Canelli DOCG can develop complexity with age. Properly stored, it is a wine that can be cellared and enjoyed several years after bottling.
The variety used to produce Moscato d’Asti is Moscato Bianco, internationally known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. This ancient grape variety is widespread across the Mediterranean, celebrated for its intensely aromatic character and versatility.
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