White grape variety cultivated in Apulia

Coda di Volpe Bianca b.

The wine variety Coda di Volpe Bianca b., cultivated in Apulia, is present in the center-north of the region and is suitable for cultivation in Capitanata.

Origin and Historical Outline

Several authors (Di Rovasenda, 1877; Rassetti, 1904; Dalmasso, 1937) agree that the origins of the wine variety Coda di Volpe Bianca b. date back to Roman times.
With the name Alopecia was mentioned by Pliny a vine that then took the name of Coda di volpe, for the characteristic curvature that takes the apical part of the cluster, which recalls the tail of a fox. The vine has arrived in the north of Puglia from the neighbouring regions.

Synonyms

Alopecis, Durante, Pallagrello.

Shoot tip: expanded, fluffy, green with red-purplish spots.

Leaf: large, pentagonal, pentalobate with quite developed lobes. Lyre-shaped petiole sinus; deep, closed lyre-shaped upper lateral sinuses with slightly overlapping lobes; not very pronounced V-shaped, or deep and U-shaped lower lateral sinuses. The upper leaf side is dull green, hairless.

Bunch: large, mostly with short wings, pyramidshaped basal part, cylindrical distal part, curved tip, dense or fairly dense.

Berry: small, regular, sub-spherical, pruinose, compact, green-yellowish skin; juicy or slightly crisp flesh, neutral taste.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: late

e Flowering time: late

Veraison: late

Ripening: intermediate-late

Agronomic and Cultural Characteristics

Average bunch weight: 300 g (min 160 g – max 450 g)

Average berry weight: 1.1 g (min 0.8 g – max 1.4 g)

Number of seeds per berry: 1 2

Average rachis weight: 13 g

Fertility of buds: 1 – 2

Potential fertility: 1.3

Actual fertility: 1.1

Environmental and Cultural Requirements

Not suited for very long pruning, especially on dry, siliceous or clayey-calcareous soils. Medium or good yield.

Chemical Features of the Wine

Alcoholic content: 11 – 13.5 % by vol.

pH: 3.2 – 3.5

Total acidity: 4.5 – 7 g/l

Oenological Use and Sensorial Properties of the Wine

The grapes of the Coda di Volpe Bianca b. vine are used exclusively for the production of wine and contribute to a number of PDOs in neighbouring regions (Campi Flegrei, Greco di Tufo, Sannio, Taburno and Vesuvio).
The wine is golden yellow in colour, brilliant, with a vinous aroma and a light, pleasant taste.

Economic Significance and Geographic Distribution

The Coda di Volpe Bianca b. is mainly grown in Campania. In Apulia it is present in the area in the centre-north of the region and is suitable for cultivation in the Capitanata production area.

Author and Source

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

The data sheet of the Coda di Volpe Bianca b., revised and updated, is extracted from: Antonacci Donato (2006). Viti di Puglia, Adda publisher. Its use is granted by the author citing the source.