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Minella Bianca is a rare white grape variety native to Sicily, most commonly cultivated on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. Although its exact origins remain uncertain, the name Minella is believed to derive from the unique shape of its berries - elongated and curved- resembling a small breast (minna in Sicilian dialect).
Historically, Minella Bianca has played a minor but consistent role in Sicilian viticulture and is one of the native grapes permitted in the production of Etna DOC wines. It is almost always vinified in blends, most notably with Catarratto, contributing aromatic freshness and elegance to the final wine.
The grape is characterized by white, medium-large, ellipsoidal berries with thin but consistent golden-yellow or greenish skin and a noticeable waxy coating. The bunches are medium to large, pyramidal, sometimes winged, and moderately loose. Its leaves are typically medium-sized and pentagonal with three to five lobes.
Minella Bianca is a low-vigour, late-ripening vine that performs best when trained in traditional low bush systems (alberello) with short, minimal pruning. Although its yields can be generous, they tend to be irregular from year to year, which has limited its wider adoption in commercial vineyards.
The wines produced from Minella Bianca are delicate and refined. They typically present a straw-yellow colour, a dry and fresh palate, and a subtle aromatic profile marked by pleasant fruity notes. These wines are light-bodied, with low alcohol content, but well balanced and harmonious, making them ideal for those seeking elegant and easy-drinking white wines with a sense of place.
While rarely bottled on its own, Minella Bianca adds finesse and character to blends and remains a testament to the deep-rooted viticultural heritage of Mount Etna.
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.
Moscatello Selvatico is a historic white grape variety that belongs to the extensive and diverse Moscato (Muscat) family, one of the oldest and most widespread grape families in the world. Numerous notable ampelographers - including Acerbi (1825), Rovasenda (1877), Molon (1906), and Dalmasso (1964) - have confirmed its inclusion in the Moscati group. However, the term Moscatello has historically been used to refer to several distinct grape varieties, which has sometimes led to confusion in classification.
Modern DNA studies conducted by Crespan and Milani in 2001 have clarified Moscatello Selvatico’s lineage, indicating that it is closely related to Moscato di Alessandria (also known as Zibibbo), a well-known aromatic variety primarily found in Sicily and North Africa.
The primary growing region for Moscatello Selvatico is the Apulian coast, stretching from Barletta to Monopoli, with a concentration of vineyards around Andria and Trani - areas known for their sun-drenched slopes and proximity to the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, despite being native to southern Italy, this variety is also authorised in the DOC Moscadello di Montalcino in Tuscany, one of the few Tuscan designations for sweet and aromatic white wines.
The ampelographic characteristics of Moscatello Selvatico include white berries that are medium to large in size, round in shape, and covered with a thick, yellow-green skin. The grape clusters are typically medium in size, tapered and cylindrical, often winged and compact in structure. The leaves are medium-small, usually orbicular or three-lobed, with a distinctive and easily recognisable form.
In the glass, Moscatello Selvatico produces wines that are pale yellow in colour and highly aromatic, a hallmark of the Moscato family. The flavour profile is sweet, fresh, and delicate, with floral and fruity notes that make it ideal for dessert wines or lightly sparkling styles. Its natural fragrance and elegance also make it suitable for dry or off-dry expressions, appealing to modern palates seeking aromatic and balanced wines.
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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